washington – Linda McMahon She has been a constant presence in Donald Trump’s turbulent orbit, serving in his first administration and supporting his presidential campaigns. Now he chose him to serve education secretary.

Here’s a look at McMahon’s background, from business to politics.

McMahon moved from wrestling to politics

McMahon is married to Vince McMahonHis father was a prominent professional wrestling promoter. They brought him into business and started their own company, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE. It became a juggernaut in the industry and in American culture.

Trump appeared at Wrestlemania in 2007 when he was the star of the reality show “The Apprentice.” The billionaire entertainment mogul took part in a carefully scripted fight that ended with Trump. Shaving Vince McMahon’s hair in the middle of the ring.

Linda McMahon left her position as CEO of WWE to enter politics. He twice ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut but lost to Richard Blumenthal in 2010 and Chris Murphy in 2012.

Shifting gears, he focused on providing financial support to candidates. McMahon provided $6 million to help Trump’s candidacy after he secured the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

Teaching was the initial career goal

McMahon served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009. She told lawmakers at the time that she had a lifelong interest in education and once planned to become a teacher, but that goal was thwarted after she got married.

He also spent years on the board of trustees of Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.

Although McMahon has expressed support for charter schools, he is considered a relative unknown in education circles and school choice.

McMahon was part of Trump’s first presidency

A month after defeating Hillary Clinton, Trump chose McMahon As the leader of the Small Business Administration. The agency provides loans and disaster relief to companies and entrepreneurs and monitors government officials’ compliance with contract laws.

When McMahon was elected, he was praised by Blumenthal and Murphy, the two Connecticut Democrats who defeated him in their Senate campaigns. Blumenthal called him “a person of significant accomplishment and talent,” while Murphy said he was a “talented and experienced businessman.”

Unlike other members of Trump’s first administration, McMahon has not been overshadowed by scandal or controversy. He frequently supported trade and tax policies.

“He was a superstar,” Trump said when he left the administration in 2019. “The truth is, I’ve known him for a long time. I knew he was good, but I didn’t know he was this good.” “

He continued to support Trump after leaving the administration

McMahon hasn’t left Trump’s orbit. He chaired America First Action, a super PAC supporting Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. He lost to Democrat Joe Biden, and McMahon helped launch the America First Policy Institute to continue advocating for Trump’s agenda and prepare for a possible return to the White House.

When Trump ran for president this year, McMahon was co-chair of the transition team. Howard LutnickCEO of financial services company Cantor Fitzgerald. As part of that role, McMahon is helping plan Trump’s new administration.

Perhaps McMahon’s biggest task when he takes office will be to eliminate the institution he was hired to oversee. Trump has promised to shut down the Department of Education and return most of its powers to the states. Trump has not explained how he would shut down the agency, which was created by Congress in 1979 and would likely require Congressional action to disband it.