Linda McMahon, nominated by President Trump for the position of Education Secretary, has been named in a sexual abuse lawsuit. This development could impact her confirmation process and raises questions about her suitability for the role.
Linda McMahon, known for her role in the wrestling entertainment industry, has been nominated by President Trump for the position of Education Secretary. Her background includes limited experience in educational settings, raising questions about her qualifications for the role.
Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, co-founder of WWE and former head of the Small Business Administration, as Education Secretary, despite his previous statements about potentially shutting down the Department of Education. McMahon, who has a longstanding relationship with Trump, is expected to bring her leadership experience to the role. This nomination follows other controversial picks by Trump, including Mehmet Oz for a healthcare position and Elon Musk for a new government efficiency department.
Former President Donald Trump has selected Linda McMahon, a longtime ally and former head of the Small Business Administration, as his choice for Education Secretary. McMahon's appointment reflects Trump's continued reliance on trusted associates for key positions.
Donald Trump has selected Linda McMahon, former WWE executive and co-chair of his transition team, as his nominee for education secretary. Trump praised McMahon's work and emphasized her role in promoting educational choice and state control over education. McMahon, who previously served as the head of the Small Business Administration, has been involved in a lawsuit alleging her knowledge of sexual abuse within WWE, claims her attorney denies.
Linda McMahon, former WWE CEO and Trump administration official, is expected to be named as the Secretary of the Department of Education, according to sources. Previously, McMahon served as the head of the Small Business Administration and is a major Republican donor. She co-founded the America First Policy Institute and has been involved in pro-Trump initiatives. McMahon was initially considered for the Commerce Secretary position but was passed over in favor of Howard Lutnick.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona met with teachers and borrowers in New York City to announce a newly proposed federal student debt relief plan that aims to benefit over 30 million people, following the Supreme Court's rejection of President Biden's previous debt forgiveness program. The plan would cancel interest for millions of borrowers, nullify debt for eligible participants in current forgiveness programs, and assist those facing financial hardship. Cardona anticipates pushback from critics but emphasizes the administration's commitment to providing debt relief, especially for first-generation college graduates, many of whom are Black and/or Latino. The plan is expected to undergo a public comment period in the coming weeks.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has been designated as the survivor for President Biden's State of the Union address, meaning he will be at an undisclosed location outside the Capitol in case of a disaster. This year's address comes ahead of the 2024 general election, and Cardona, who became education secretary in March 2021, is sixteenth in the presidential line of succession. The designated survivor is a tradition outlined in the Presidential Succession Act, and this year, both Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm are ineligible for the role.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona faced criticism on social media after misquoting President Ronald Reagan's famous line during a recent event. Cardona mistakenly said, "We're from the government. We're here to help," instead of the actual quote, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’" Social media users mocked Cardona's lack of understanding of the historical quote, with some calling for his resignation.
The Biden administration announced that 125,000 student loan borrowers will have $9 billion in student loan debt forgiven. These borrowers were already eligible for cancellation through programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, income-driven repayment plans, or discharges for those with disabilities. The forgiveness comes as student loan payments resume for millions of borrowers after a three-year hiatus during the pandemic. The administration has now erased $127 billion in student debt, covering about 3.6 million Americans. A committee will also meet to discuss another possible route to erasing student loan balances on a large scale.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan is expected to announce a ban on mobile phones in schools, aiming to reduce distraction, disruptive behavior, and bullying. The new guidance will require schools in England to take action, although some schools already have bans in place. The presence of smartphones in classrooms has been blamed for causing disruption, cyberbullying, and thefts. The ban follows recommendations from a United Nations report and aims to improve learning and student well-being.
Rishi Sunak, the UK Chancellor, has denied responsibility for the crumbling concrete issue in schools, stating it was "utterly wrong" to blame him for the lack of repairs. Former senior civil servant Jonathan Slater accused Sunak of overseeing budget cuts that resulted in only 50 out of 400 schools needing rebuilding being covered. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan admitted that hundreds of schools in England could contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), with at least 104 confirmed to have the material. The government has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, with concerns raised about the safety of students and the lack of preparation.
Over 150 schools in the UK are being forced to close their buildings due to the risk of collapsing concrete. The buildings contain Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), a material prone to crumbling. While most schools can continue with face-to-face learning as the problematic concrete is only found in a small part of the buildings, some schools will have to be temporarily closed. The timing of the closures has been criticized by education officials and unions, who argue that the government should have addressed the issue sooner. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has outlined a plan to minimize the impact on learning and provide support to schools.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona addressed the National Education Association's annual representative assembly, expressing concern over the "intentional toxic disrespect" faced by teachers in public schools. He criticized conservative policymakers for pushing book bans, restrictions on teaching about racism, and limitations on LGBTQ+ student rights. Cardona called for increased respect for teachers and proposed the "ABCs of teaching" - agency, better working conditions, and competitive wages. He also advocated for comprehensive education, including arts, music, and hands-on learning, and urged a shift away from teaching to the test.
The pause on federal student loan payments, which has been in effect since March 2020 due to the pandemic, will end on January 31, 2022, according to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. The Biden administration has faced pressure from Democrats to cancel student debt, but Justice Gorsuch has questioned the "fairness" of such a plan.