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Critics have raised concerns about Linda McMahon’s qualifications for key education positions, as her background primarily consists of running World Wrestling Entertainment. Despite controversy surrounding her wrestling empire and its potential harm on children, President Trump selected her for a role in education.
Written by Stephanie Saul, Zach Montague, and Sharon Otterman.
Typically, nominees to the State Board of Education easily pass the confirmation process in the Connecticut House of Representatives. However, Linda E. McMahon faced strong opposition during her appointment in 2009.
When Andrew Fleischmann was the chair of the House Education Committee, he recalls feeling insulted by her appointment and taking charge of the resistance against it.
In a recent interview, Mr. Fleischmann, a Democrat, stated that she had no connection to the field of education. He claimed that she has earned a significant amount of money by promoting violence and sexualization among young women. He believes that her actions have had a negative impact on children in the country.
Critics took issue with the way Ms. McMahon’s company, World Wrestling Entertainment, portrayed violence, steroid use, and sexualized content. During the early 2000s, Ms. McMahon even participated in the dramatic performances of W.W.E. herself. In one instance, she kicked her husband, Vince McMahon, who was also the co-founder of the company, in the groin. In another, she pretended to slap her daughter, Stephanie, causing her to fall to the ground.
Following a heated discussion on the floor, the House decided to confirm Ms. McMahon with a vote of 96-45, which was an unexpected outcome for a minor appointment in Connecticut.
It is possible that Ms. McMahon will have to go through another confirmation process, this time to become President-elect Donald J. Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education.
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