Linda McMahon Faces Senate Grilling for Secretary of Education Role—But Will the Department Even Exist?

Linda McMahon is back in the political spotlight, but this time, it’s not for WWE.

The former WWE CEO appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for her confirmation hearing as Secretary of Education, with her family—including Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, Shane McMahon, and Shane’s wife, Marissa—watching from the front row.

But the biggest question surrounding McMahon’s nomination isn’t about her qualifications—it’s whether the Department of Education will even exist under President Trump’s administration. Trump has repeatedly called the DOE a “big con job” and has openly pushed to abolish the agency entirely. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has already slashed the department’s budget by nearly $1 billion, setting the stage for a massive shake-up.

McMahon, best known for transforming WWE into a multi-billion-dollar empire, has minimal experience in education policy. Her only formal role in the field was a brief stint on Connecticut’s State Board of Education, a position that later came under scrutiny when it was revealed she had misrepresented her academic background. McMahon had claimed to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education, but in reality, her degree is in French.

With Trump and Musk looking to dismantle the department, McMahon’s time as Secretary of Education—if confirmed—could be short-lived.