Linda McMahon Previously Wrongly Claimed To Have A Degree In Education

WWE co-founder Linda McMahon - who is Donald Trump's pick to be US Secretary of Education in his new administration - previously wrongly claimed to have a bachelor's degree in education.

McMahon made the false claim in 2009 within a questionnaire for a Connecticut Board of Education post. McMahon also repeated the false claim in the official biography accompanying her application for a spot on the board.

McMahon resigned from the state education board one day after the Hartford Courant told her in 2010 they were going to write about the questionnaire, although McMahon claimed she resigned because of a state ruling around her bid for Senate. McMahon unsuccessfully campaigned for US Senate in 2010. Shen then ran for senate and failed again in 2012.

Instead of education, Linda McMahon holds a bachelor's degree in French and a teaching certificate from East Carolina University.

A spokesperson for the Trump transition told the Washington Post: "The clarification was addressed many, many years ago. These types of politically motivated attacks are the new normal for nominees ready to enact President Trump’s mandate for common sense that an overwhelming majority of Americans supported two weeks ago."

While she twice failed to become a senator, McMahon served as the Small Business Administrator from 2017 to 2019 during Donald Trump's first term as president. She was one of the biggest donors to Trump's campaign in 2024 and McMahon is currently Chair of the Board of the pro-Trump think tank the America First Policy Institute. The 76-year-old is also the co-chair of Trump's transition team.

Should she be appointed Education Secretary, how long McMahon will be in the role is unclear as Donald Trump has previously threatened to shut the department.

McMahon is currently being sued by former WWE ring boys in a lawsuit which claims the defendants were fully aware of the sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of Mel Phillips and others. According to reports, the incoming administration were unaware of the lawsuit.

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