The tragic implications of a Linda McMahon’s wrestling education by Thanos Kalamidas

The United States, despite its leading role in global innovation and technological advancement, has long grappled with a public education system riddled with systemic inequities and underperformance. While certain institutions shine as bright exceptions, a significant portion of the American populace struggles with basic educational competencies, such as fundamental mathematics, history, and reading skills. This troubling trend reflects years of neglect and mismanagement, compounded by uneven funding and the politicization of education.

In this context, the potential appointment of Linda McMahon, co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), as the U.S. Secretary of Education raises serious concerns about the future of public education. While McMahon might be a successful entrepreneur with a track record in entertainment and business, her credentials for overseeing one of the nation's most critical public systems are, to put it mildly, questionable.

America's education system is already teetering under immense pressure. Teachers face burnout from underfunding and overwork; public schools often operate with outdated materials and infrastructure, and systemic inequities leave low-income and minority students at a profound disadvantage. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the Nation’s Report Card, math and reading scores for U.S. students have stagnated or declined in recent years.

These statistics are not just numbers—they reflect the growing gap in opportunities and outcomes for millions of children. Education should be the bedrock of any nation's future, equipping its youth with the tools to succeed and innovate. Yet, in the United States, public education often seems more like an afterthought than a priority.

The Secretary of Education plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. The position demands an individual with a deep understanding of education policy, a commitment to public schooling, and a vision for closing achievement gaps. It is not a role suited for political experimentation or business acumen alone.

Linda McMahon’s career in professional wrestling entertainment demonstrates a talent for marketing, showmanship, and building an empire in the entertainment industry. While impressive in its own right, these skills bear little relevance to the complexities of running the Department of Education. The department oversees federal student aid programs, ensures compliance with civil rights laws in schools, and implements policies affecting millions of students and teachers. These are not tasks that can be managed with the bombast of a wrestling ring or the bottom-line mentality of a corporate boardroom.

McMahon’s appointment would fit a broader trend seen under Donald Trump's administration: the favouring of private interests over public welfare. Trump has repeatedly expressed support for school choice policies, including the expansion of charter schools and voucher programs. While such initiatives offer benefits in certain contexts, their widespread implementation can divert critical funding from public schools, exacerbating existing disparities.

Under McMahon’s leadership, the fear is not just that these policies would expand unchecked but that the public education system itself could face significant erosion. Her lack of experience in education suggests that decisions would likely prioritize privatization and profit motives over equitable access to quality schooling.

The WWE co-founder’s career is built on spectacle and entertainment—a far cry from the nuanced, data-driven policymaking required to address the systemic issues in education. Her appointment could signal a troubling shift toward reducing public education to a market-driven enterprise, with dire consequences for students who rely on it the most.

Public education is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about fostering critical thinking, civic responsibility, and social mobility. It is the foundation of a functioning democracy. Weakening this system in favour of privatization or entertainment-style governance risks leaving future generations ill-equipped to tackle the challenges of an increasingly complex world.

Linda McMahon’s potential appointment should prompt serious reflection on the importance of expertise and accountability in public office. Education is not a realm for political experiments or ideological battles, it is a public good that must be preserved and strengthened for the benefit of all Americans.