Education Secretary Nominee Linda McMahon’s Stance on Black History Funding Questioned
In a recent Senate confirmation hearing, Linda McMahon, nominated by President Donald Trump to head the Department of Education, was questioned about the potential defunding of public schools that teach Black history. During the session on February 13, McMahon did not provide a definitive answer regarding whether an executive order could lead to such actions.
McMahon, who co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment and previously led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, was nominated for the Education Secretary position on November 19.
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut directly inquired if Trump’s executive order, which bans diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in education, might result in funding cuts for schools offering African American history courses.
McMahon responded, “I’m not quite certain,” and expressed a need to further investigate the implications of the executive order. When pressed by Murphy on whether this indicated a funding risk, she clarified, “That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying I’d like to take a look at these programs and fully understand the breadth of the executive order and get back to you on that.”
The nominee gave similar responses when asked about the potential defunding of schools with student groups focused on ethnic identity. Murphy described McMahon’s lack of clarity as “chilling.”
Trump has enacted several executive orders restricting DEI programs across various sectors, including government and education. The broad and undefined nature of these orders has caused widespread confusion regarding compliance among educational institutions and businesses.
Federal funding accounts for about 10% of the financial resources for public schools in the U.S., primarily supporting low-income students and those with disabilities. While most public schools include some form of Black history in their curriculum, twelve states mandate its inclusion in public education programs.
McMahon’s nomination has faced criticism due to her limited experience in education. Her brief tenure on Connecticut’s state Board of Education ended in 2010 after it was revealed she falsely claimed to have a bachelor’s degree in education.
Additionally, McMahon and her husband, Vince, contributed $15 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign, drawing further scrutiny to her appointment.
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