Trump expected to pick Linda McMahon, former wrestling executive, to head Department of Education, sources say

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to pick Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive, to head the Department of Education, two sources familiar with the transition told CBS News Tuesday.

McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, stepping down in 2019 to help with his 2020 reelection campaign. 

She is also currently a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald. Trump announced on Tuesday he picked Lutnick to be his commerce secretary.

McMahon and her husband, wrestling entertainment magnate Vince McMahon — who cofounded the WWE and led it for decades before leaving the company in January following allegations of sexual misconduct — have been friends of Trump  for over 20 years and are among his most prolific donors. 

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump promised to shut down the Department of Education, complaining that the agency’s budget is too large and that its staff is filled with “people that in many cases hate our children.”  

One of the smallest federal agencies, the Department of Education is responsible for the distribution of federal financial aid for education, collecting and disseminating data and research related to schools, and prohibiting discrimination in schools. 

Its funds account for less than 10% of the nation’s public school funding, which is primarily driven by state and local taxes.

contributed to this report.

Fin Gómez

Fin Gómez is the political director for CBS News. Fin oversees the day-to-day political coverage for CBS News. He has covered five presidential political cycles and multiple presidential campaigns. He was formerly a member of the CBS White House unit.