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Washington, D.C., February 13, 2025:
Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Education, is facing increasing scrutiny as she prepares for her confirmation hearing on Thursday. Several former WWE employees, their family members, and current education officials have raised concerns about McMahon’s fitness for the role, citing allegations in a recent lawsuit regarding her time as an executive at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
The allegations center around McMahon’s involvement in a lawsuit filed in October, which accuses her and her husband, WWE co-founder Vince McMahon, of enabling the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors, referred to as “ring boys,” by a WWE employee during the 1980s. The lawsuit claims that McMahon was aware of the abuse but failed to intervene, allowing the alleged perpetrator, WWE ring announcer Melvin Phillips Jr., to continue his actions unchecked. McMahon’s legal team has vehemently denied these claims, asserting that the allegations are exaggerated and unfounded.
A current Education Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concerns not only about McMahon’s handling of the lawsuit but also her lack of education experience. McMahon previously served for one year on the Connecticut Board of Education in 2009 before stepping down and running for Senate in 2010 and 2012. She has no other formal experience in education, which has led some to question her ability to oversee more than 50 million students across nearly 130,000 schools in the U.S.
Critics argue that McMahon’s track record with WWE raises red flags, particularly her involvement in the lawsuit, which alleges she enabled an environment where child abuse could flourish. Kristina Ishmael, a Biden administration Education Department official, said she had received messages from friends who have their trauma related to sexual assault, expressing dismay at the potential appointment. She described the situation as “a slap in the face” to survivors of sexual abuse.
The controversy has also caught the attention of prominent Senate Democrats, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, who indicated that his questioning of McMahon would likely focus on her stance on privatizing public education, supporting pay raises for teachers, and the potential cuts to programs serving low-income school districts. Despite the controversy surrounding the lawsuit, Sanders and others are more concerned with policy issues related to McMahon’s approach to education.
McMahon’s limited education background is a key issue in her confirmation process. As a former CEO of WWE, she has experience in corporate leadership but little in the field of education. During her confirmation hearing for the Connecticut Board of Education in 2009, she highlighted WWE’s Get R.E.A.L. program, which aimed to deliver educational messages to teenagers using WWE superstars. However, critics argue that this program lacks the depth and substance needed to demonstrate a robust understanding of education policy at the national level.
In response to the lawsuit, McMahon’s attorney, Laura Brevetti, has categorically denied the allegations, stating that the claims are based on decades-old accusations and are filled with “scurrilous lies” and exaggerations. Vince McMahon’s legal team also dismissed the negligence claims as “untrue and unfounded.” WWE and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings, have declined to comment, and the White House has not responded to repeated inquiries regarding the allegations.
As McMahon’s confirmation hearing looms, the Senate’s decision on her appointment remains uncertain. If confirmed, she would face a unique challenge in overseeing the Education Department at a time when President Trump has reportedly prepared an executive order to dismantle the agency. However, any such move would require congressional approval, making McMahon’s leadership crucial in shaping the future of education policy in the U.S.
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