Former SBA Chief Linda McMahon Defends Massive Education Budget Cuts, Aligns with Trump's Agenda

Linda McMahon, who previously served as the 25th Administrator of the Small Business Administration from February 2017 to April 2019, is currently making headlines as she defends a proposed $12 billion cut to the Education Department. During a recent budget hearing on May 21, 2025, McMahon stood firm on this significant reduction while some Republicans indicated support for dismantling the department altogether. McMahon's current prominence stems from her nomination by President Trump to lead the U.S. Education Department. Having previously led both World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and the Small Business Administration, McMahon has expressed support for school choice and parental rights initiatives. During her confirmation process, she has aligned herself with Trump's vision to potentially dismantle the Education Department, stating directly, "It's not working." Her previous experience at the SBA offers insight into her leadership style. Former colleagues describe McMahon as setting high expectations from the beginning of her tenure. Barb Carson, who worked with McMahon at the SBA, recalls a memorable first meeting where McMahon commanded attention by slapping a table and declaring, "There's going to be one conversation in this room and it's mine." Despite her lack of prior government experience, McMahon was praised for her willingness to understand the public sector and make it more efficient. During her SBA leadership, McMahon visited 68 cities to hear directly from small business owners and supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Her tenure was marked by improvements to the SBA's emergency call centers following Hurricane Harvey and a revamped online presence. The Washington Post assessed her first year positively with a "so far, so good" evaluation. McMahon's approach to government reorganization may influence her current role. On March 21, 2025, the SBA announced an agency-wide reorganization that includes workforce reduction by 43%, focusing on eliminating what they termed a "social policy agenda" of the previous administration. The reorganization aims to return the agency to pre-pandemic staffing levels while maintaining core services like loan guarantees and disaster assistance. As McMahon continues her confirmation process for Education Secretary, her supporters highlight her ability to listen and learn from subject-matter experts as qualities that would serve her well in the new role. Meanwhile, she remains in the spotlight defending controversial budget cuts that align with the administration's vision for smaller federal education involvement. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.