It is to be assumed that whoever is in charge of one of the pillars of a country, education, is a person of integrity, impeccable and with extensive knowledge in the educational sector. For Donald Trump, Linda McMahon is the ideal candidate, former CEO of WWE and accused of knowingly allowing the sexual exploitation of children. What could go wrong?
McMahon and her husband founded World Wrestling Entertainment, better known as WWE, a media and entertainment company, primarily focused on professional wrestling, but also covering, among other areas, film and American football.
The 76-year-old Republican mogul and politician has recently been accused of knowingly allowing the sexual exploitation of children by a WWE employee since the 1980s. McMahon denies it all.
The nomination begs the question: What will the future of American education look like under McMahon, just as the sector faces major challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic?
The lawsuit facing Linda McMahon, her husband, WWE and TKO Group Holdings, the league's parent company, alleges that they knowingly allowed employee Melvin Phillips Jr. to use his position as an in-ring announcer to sexually exploit children, According to CNN.
The court filing, the news network notes, alleges that Phillips recruited children to work as "ring boys," helping him set up and take down wrestling rings at WWE events.
But the job was a front for Phillips' sexual exploitation of children, which he did even in front of wrestlers and executives in the locker room. He also frequently filmed his sexual abuse, according to the filing.
CNN reports that the lawsuit was filed in October in Baltimore County, Maryland, on behalf of five anonymous victims, who say they were between the ages of 13 and 15 when Phillips met and recruited them to work as ring boys.
This lawsuit is in addition to another one involving sexual abuse and trafficking.
"Thank you, Mr. President, for entrusting me to serve as Secretary of Education. I look forward to receiving Senate confirmation. I am deeply honored and grateful for this opportunity and am committed to working tirelessly to ensure that all students have access to a quality education," McMahon said on her X account after Trump's nomination.
She added that she has witnessed the transformative power of education, both in the classroom and in learning programs. “All students should be equipped with the skills necessary to prepare for a successful future.”
“I look forward to working collaboratively with students, educators, parents and communities to strengthen our education system; ensuring that every child, regardless of demographics, is prepared for a bright future.”
For his part, Donald Trump said in his nomination: "It is my great honor to announce that Linda McMahon, former Administrator of the Small Business Administration, will be the United States Secretary of Education."
The next president of the United States, said that, during the last four years as president of the Board of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), Linda ?has been a fierce defender of Parents' Rights, working hard at both AFPI and America First Works (AFW) to achieve Universal School Choice in 12 States, giving children the opportunity to receive an excellent Education, regardless of zip code or income?
In that regard, Trump noted that, as Secretary of Education, Linda "will fight tirelessly to expand 'Choice' to every state in America, and empower parents to make the best educational decisions for their families."
Linda served for two years on the Connecticut Board of Education, where she was one of fifteen members overseeing all public education in the state, including its technical high school system.
He also served on the Board of Trustees of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, for two terms totaling more than 16 years.
You may be interested in: From TV host to US Secretary of Defense: Meet Pete Hegseth
