Trump announced McMahon's nomination on Truth Social, praising her for her leadership experience and deep understanding of both business and education. He said she would "empower the next generation of American students and workers." Trump has been a vocal critic of the Department of Education, even pledging to close it down, a task McMahon could be given if confirmed.

Her nomination follows Trump's recent pick of Mehmet Oz, a celebrity doctor and former television host, to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These selections, along with Trump’s choice of Howard Lutnick for Commerce Secretary, reflect his pattern of appointing loyal supporters to top positions in his cabinet.

McMahon has a long history with WWE and Trump, frequently appearing at wrestling events with him. She co-founded WWE in 1980 with her husband, stepping down as CEO in 2009 to run for the Senate, although her bid was unsuccessful. While McMahon has little formal experience in education, she did serve on Connecticut's State Board of Education from 2009 to 2010. She currently chairs the America First Policy Institute, a pro-Trump think tank, which suggests her confirmation in the Republican-majority Senate is likely.

Trump highlighted McMahon’s advocacy for parents' rights, noting that she would "spearhead" the effort to return education control to the states, aligning with his promise to dismantle the Department of Education.

McMahon’s nomination comes amid a lawsuit filed last month that claims she and other WWE executives were complicit in covering up abuse by a ringside announcer. The McMahons have denied the allegations, calling them "false claims."

In addition to McMahon, Trump nominated Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency overseeing the healthcare of millions of Americans. Oz, a trained surgeon who became famous through The Oprah Winfrey Show and his own TV program, has been criticized for promoting dubious health advice, including support for malaria drugs as a cure for COVID-19. Trump praised Oz for his qualifications and commitment to tackling the "illness industrial complex."

Oz's nomination must also be confirmed by the Senate. The CMS manages the country's largest healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, which cost over $1.4 trillion in 2023. Oz has promised to reduce waste and fraud within the agency, in line with Trump’s broader healthcare goals.