We thought Betsy DeVos, with her complete lack of credentials, was the worst pick for Secretary of Education. Then came Linda McMahon, the queen of World Wrestling Entertainment. But does this woman have any credentials worth mentioning, or are we justified in laughing her out of the building?
1. Professional Background: Businesswoman, Not Educator
Linda McMahon boasts a high-profile resumé as the co-founder and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), helping to transform it into what is referred to as “a global entertainment powerhouse.” She also served as the head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term.
As far as direct experience in education, however, there isn’t much. McMahon briefly sat on Connecticut’s State Board of Education from 2009 to 2010 and serves as a trustee at Sacred Heart University, but with limited policy leadership.
2. Educational Credentials: Claim vs. Reality
Although McMahon studied to become a French teacher, she never actually taught anything, ever. She graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in French, not education. Yet, during a vetting questionnaire for the Connecticut Board of Ed., McMahon “misstated” this fact, implying she held a degree in education.
3. Gaps in Policy Knowledge, Basic Knowledge, and Sensitivity
Critics of McMahon point out several concerning things:
- In an interview with The Ingraham Angle, McMahon admitted she didn’t know what IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) fully stands for, vaguely describing it as “programs for disabled needs.”
- During her confirmation hearing, she was uncertain about whether schools could legally offer a Black history class or support ethnic identity clubs, stating she would “want to know what the clubs are doing.” These show foundational gaps in understanding educational law and policy, especially in areas that are essential to student diversity and civil rights.
- While speaking at a panel recently, McMahon confused artificial intelligence, also known as AI, with A1, the same name as the popular sauce brand. She used the term “A1” instead of A.I. multiple times.
4. Dismantling Over Developing
McMahon’s appointment aligns with an agenda less focused on educational advancement and more on structural dismantling. She was tasked with closing or drastically reducing the Department of Education—a mission she is entirely on board with.
Supporters claim that her private-sector leadership is an asset in “upending the education bureaucracy.” But educators warn that the department desperately needs someone who can champion students and teachers, not dismantle the very agency that supports them.
5. Public Concerns and Controversies
McMahon’s nomination has faced pushback from civil rights groups and teachers’ unions. The National Education Association condemned her focus on dismantling public education and diverting funds to private, less accountable institutions.
Other critics have raised ethical concerns. A civil lawsuit alleges that WWE, while under McMahon’s leadership, ignored the sexual abuse of minors within the organization.
While McMahon denies any wrongdoing, the allegations raise questions about her capacity to lead a department responsible for children’s education and welfare. (Also, don’t forget that she doesn’t know the difference between A1 and AI…)
The Qualifications That Are Not There
- Lack of deep educational experience: McMahon’s background in entertainment and business does not compensate for hands-on experience in classroom instruction, curriculum design, or educational policy.
- Questionable credibility: Misstating her academic background undermines trust at the outset of her public service role.
- Policy blind spots: Her uncertainty on disability law and race-based programming suggests she may lack the understanding required to support vulnerable student groups.
- Mission conflict: Her mandate centers on dismantling, not improving, the Department of Education. This stands in direct conflict with the traditional role of a secretary tasked with enhancing student learning and equity.
- Secretary Linda McMahon brings political loyalty and business acumen, but educational expertise is notably absent. Her appointment raises serious concerns about leadership that champions dismantling over development, especially during a time when educational equity and federal support are critical. Plus, the whole A1 versus AI thing…
For quick reference, here’s a comparative analysis of Linda McMahon’s qualifications (or lack thereof) relative to recent U.S. Secretaries of Education …
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careers/linda-mcmahon-falsely-claims-education-degree/ar-AA1KEbFL
Brown University has become the third Ivy League school to settle with the Trump administration over accusations the school has fostered antisemitism. Under the terms, the university in Rhode Island will make $50 million in payments to state workforce development programs over a decade, the New York Times reports. Brown agreed to follow Trump’s policies on “merit-based” admissions policies and to not provide gender-reassignment surgery or treatments to minors. To ensure it is adhering to federal law, Brown will turn over data to the government on its admissions and diversity efforts, per the Washington Post.
In turn, the government promised to restore $50 million in research grants that it had chosen not to pay and pledged not to use the deal “to dictate Brown’s curriculum or the content of academic speech.” An independent monitor will not be appointed to oversee implementation. Brown had not sued after the administration announced in April that it would block $510 million in funding but has said it has borrowed money to replace the federal grants. Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania also reached settlements. White House officials are negotiating with other universities and have said they want the Columbia deal to be a blueprint for making them pay millions.
The Trump administration celebrated the Brown deal. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement that it will be part of the “lasting legacy of the Trump administration, one that will benefit students and American society for generations to come.” A couple of educators found parts of the deal acceptable. “This feels like mostly things that Brown had to do anyway, and had already said it was going to do,” said an environmental studies professor. The president of the American Council on Education was pleased that the money isn’t going to the federal government. “We really look forward to engaging with this administration on matters of policy,” Ted Mitchell said. “But this isn’t policy. This is simple extortion and deal-making, which has no place in a democracy.”
https://www.newser.com/story/372756/a-3rd-ivy-league-school-makes-a-deal-with-trump.html
After multiple aviation catastrophes and troubling reports of problems at airports across the country, it’s safe to say that many Americans have been hopeful — if not optimistic — that the Trump administration would install a steady-handed, trustworthy leader at the beleaguered Federal Aviation Administration.
The fact that President Donald Trump has selected an individual for the job who seems to have inflated his credentials doesn’t inspire much confidence.
The Air Current, an aviation outlet, appears to have been first to report on Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford’s false portrayal of himself as a commercial pilot, and Politico shined more light on the nominee for FAA chief over the weekend.
The Trump administration is considering cutting federal education funds to California, according to people familiar with the administration’s thinking. The discussion comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump feud over the president’s deployment of the National Guard to LA to stop immigration protests.
A Trump administration employee, who was not permitted to speak publicly about the administration’s plans, told POLITICO the Education Department may stop the disbursement of “formula funds,” which are awards based on a predetermined formula created by Congress. The administration has not yet reached a decision, according to a separate person familiar with the discussions. The timing for a potential decision is also not finalized.
“That is one of the tools and the opportunities that we have with California,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said of the potential to pull the state’s funds on Tuesday at an event hosted by Bloomberg News. “And I think it’s right that we make them aware that that is a risk that they run.”
The Trump administration is considering cutting federal education funds to California, according to people familiar with the administration’s thinking. The discussion comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump feud over the president’s deployment of the National Guard to LA to stop immigration protests.
A Trump administration employee, who was not permitted to speak publicly about the administration’s plans, told POLITICO the Education Department may stop the disbursement of “formula funds,” which are awards based on a predetermined formula created by Congress. The administration has not yet reached a decision, according to a separate person familiar with the discussions. The timing for a potential decision is also not finalized.
“That is one of the tools and the opportunities that we have with California,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said of the potential to pull the state’s funds on Tuesday at an event hosted by Bloomberg News. “And I think it’s right that we make them aware that that is a risk that they run.”
President Donald Trump has defended his decision to send another 2,000 National Guard troops to confront immigration protesters in Los Angeles, as the demonstrations spread to other US cities.
The protests began Friday in downtown LA after federal immigration authorities arrested more than 40 people across the city. Trump on Monday authorized the deployment of 700 Marines and additional National Guard troops to LA as the protests entered a fourth day. It came after an initial 300 troops arrived in the city on Sunday.
The demonstrations spread to other cities including Boston, Houston and Philadelphia on Monday. In Dallas, hundreds of protesters gathered for a rally which police declared was “unlawful.” Authorities said one person was arrested.
https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/la-immigration-protests-live-flash-1195445
Americans fear civil war is beginning right before their eyes as L.A. protesters and police clash — and California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state of California is now suing Donald Trump over his response to the violent riots.
California Democrat Adam Schiff also accused Trump of wanting a reason to justify martial law in the region. The president lobbed several attacks against Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on his Truth Social on Sunday night.
Trump is deploying 2,000 National Guard troops as protesters seek to block federal immigration authorities from carrying out deportations. ed to deploy status” should they be called upon to defend federal facilities and personnel.
The Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division will work with the roughly 2,100 National Guard troops on the ground to protect federal property and personnel, including federal immigration agents, U.S. Northern Command says.
The Marines are moving from their base at Twentynine Palms in the California desert on Monday.
The troops have been trained in de-escalation, crowd control and standing rules for the use of force, and they will be armed with the weapons they normally carry.
https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/la-immigration-protests-live-flash-1195445
Americans fear civil war is beginning right before their eyes as LA protesters and police clash – and California Democrat Adam Schiff has even accused Donald Trump of wanting a reason to justify martial law.
Trump is deploying 2,000 National Guard troops as protesters seek to block federal immigration authorities from carrying out deportations. And defense secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened to send in the Marines, with around 500 troops on standby.
In a statement released on Sunday, U.S. Northern Command said that, at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about 500 Marines are “in a prepared to deploy status” should they be called upon to defend federal facilities and personnel.
In an earlier directive, the President invoked a legal provision allowing him to deploy federal service members when there is ”a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.”
Writing on X, one user said “sadly LA looks like a scene from the 2024 Civil War movie,” while another user asked: “Is the US now in de facto civil war or is that not yet what they call it?”
Others said they fear LA is the “beginning” of a wider civil war across the U.S.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Trump are publicly clashing about efforts taken to contain the protests, with Newsom even going as far as accusing Trump of “manufacturing a crisis.”
This was echoed by Schiff, who wrote on social media: “There is nothing President Trump would like more than a violent confrontation with protestors to justify the unjustifiable — invocation of the Insurrection Act or some form of martial law.”
https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/la-immigration-protests-live-flash-1195445
