Linda McMahon

In Office

Businesswoman

Republican

Conservative

Republican Establishment

Politician

Linda McMahon is an American business executive and politician. She co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with husband Vince McMahon, serving as its President (1980-2000) and CEO (1997-2009), overseeing its growth into a global media empire. McMahon entered politics, chairing Connecticut's State Board of Education (2009-2010) and running unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate from Connecticut in 2010 and 2012. Appointed Small Business Administration Administrator by President Trump (2017-2019), she focused on entrepreneurship support. On November 19, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated her for U.S. Secretary of Education.

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Corporate Backed

Independence Score

Says vs Does

What they claim vs what their actions show

🗣️ SAYS THEY ARE

Conservative Republican

⚡ ACTUALLY ALIGNS

GOP Leadership and Corporate Interests

🎯 Primary Loyalties (Ranked)

Donald Trump
Republican Party
Business Interests
Entertainment Industry

📋 Actions That Prove It

✓Served as SBA Administrator from 2017 to 2019, overseeing deregulation efforts that reduced reporting requirements for small businesses.
✓Co-founded WWE and served as CEO from 1980 to 2009, during which the company classified wrestlers as independent contractors, avoiding employee benefits costs.
✓Donated approximately $7 million to her 2010 and 2012 Senate campaigns and over $10 million to Republican candidates and PACs since 2010.
✓Co-chaired Donald Trump's 2024 presidential transition team, focusing on personnel selections aligned with his policy priorities.

⚠️ Contradictions

•Publicly emphasized support for small businesses and workers as SBA head, but WWE under her leadership faced lawsuits over wrestler pay and health benefits due to contractor status.
•Positioned as a political outsider during 2010 and 2012 Senate runs, yet contributed millions to GOP fundraising and held federal appointment under Trump.
•Advocated fiscal conservatism and limited government in campaigns, but supported SBA loan programs distributing billions in federal aid to businesses.

Career Background

•Co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
•CEO of WWE (1980-2009)
•Chairwoman of WWE (2009-2013)
•Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Connecticut (2010 and 2012)
•Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (2017-2019)
•Co-founder and Chair of America First Action super PAC (2017-2021)

Endorsements

•Received endorsement from Donald Trump for U.S. Senate campaigns (2010, 2012)
•Endorsed Donald Trump for President (2016, 2020)
•Received endorsement from Donald Trump for Secretary of Education nomination (2024)
•Endorsed various Republican candidates through America First Action PAC