President-elect Donald Trump has made headlines once again with his unconventional choice of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education. This blog serves as a follow-up to my earlier blog post on Trump’s plans to eliminate the Department of Education, delving into the nomination of McMahon as a critical piece in shaping that vision. Best known for her leadership at WWE and tenure as head of the Small Business Administration, McMahon has sparked both praise and criticism. From her alignment with Trump’s education agenda to her limited experience in public education, media outlets have framed her nomination in starkly contrasting ways. In this post, I’ll explore how AP News, Fox News, The Independent, and Newsweek portray McMahon’s nomination, shedding light on the framing, tone, and imagery that influence public perception.

Fox News: A Positive Perspective

Fox News  article by Andrea Margolis and Paul Steinhauser titled “Trump taps former WWE CEO Linda McMahon to serve as education secretary” celebrates McMahon’s nomination as a bold and transformative choice. The article highlights her leadership skills, alignment with Trump’s conservative values, and her potential to reduce federal oversight in education. The language is action-oriented and optimistic, using phrases like “bold move,” “leadership capabilities,” and “empowering local governance.” Criticisms of her qualifications are mentioned briefly but downplayed, keeping the focus on McMahon’s strengths.

“McMahon served in the Trump administration from 2017 to 2019. When she resigned, she wrote that the role had been “immensely rewarding.””

Andrea Margolis and Paul Steinhauser

Professional images of McMahon during her tenure at the Small Business Administration reinforce her credentials, portraying her as competent and prepared. Additionally, a video featuring Senator Tom Cotton urging the Senate to expedite Trump’s Cabinet confirmations emphasizes the urgency and progressiveness of her nomination, aligning well with the article’s positive tone.

The Independent: Questioning the Choice

The Independent article by Rhian Lubin titled “How much does Trump education pick Linda McMahon actually know about education?” adopts a critical stance, focusing on McMahon’s lack of experience in public education and raising concerns from educators and unions. The article ties her nomination to Trump’s broader “war on wokeness” and critiques her business-oriented approach to education. The tone is skeptical, using phrases like “controversial choice” and “unqualified” to frame McMahon as an unsuitable pick.

“After news of her nomination broke, the National Education Association claimed that McMahon lied about having a degree in education when she was nominated to Connecticut’s State Board of Education.”

Rhian Lubin

The article includes visuals juxtaposing McMahon’s WWE background with her political roles, subtly questioning her qualifications and amplifying skepticism adding a picture that is not as favorable of her compared to the Fox News article. Notably, it also features a video of Trump’s appearance at WWE’s WrestleMania, where he wrestles Vince McMahon. This choice emphasizes the unconventional nature of both Trump’s and McMahon’s backgrounds, further challenging her credibility as a serious contender for Secretary of Education.

Newsweek: A ‘Slap in the Face’ to Educators

Newsweek article by Khaleda Rahman titled “Linda McMahon’s Nomination Attacked by Educators: ‘Slap in the Face” focuses on the backlash from educators and unions, portraying McMahon’s nomination as a direct affront to public education advocates. The article amplifies the voices of critics who describe the appointment as a “slap in the face.” The language is emphatic and critical, using phrases like “grossly unqualified” to frame McMahon’s nomination as emblematic of Trump’s controversial approach to education policy.

“By selecting Linda McMahon, Donald Trump is showing that he could not care less about our students’ futures,” Becky Pringle, the president of the National Education Association, said in a statement.”

Khaleda Rahman

The article includes a single image of McMahon at the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 18, where she is shown appearing professional and engaged. This visual ties McMahon to Trump’s administration while reinforcing the article’s narrative of skepticism toward her qualifications.

Media Framing and Public Perception

The varied coverage of McMahon’s nomination illustrates how media framing influences public opinion. Fox Newsframes the nomination as a positive and transformative move, focusing on McMahon’s leadership qualities and alignment with Trump’s goals. In contrast, The Independent critiques her qualifications and ties her nomination to a broader ideological agenda, while Newsweek sharpens the criticism by emphasizing opposition from educators and unions.

Language and visuals play a critical role in shaping these narratives. While Fox News uses action-oriented words and professional imagery to support McMahon, The Independent and Newsweek deploy emotionally charged language and critical visuals to challenge her credibility.

Why It Matters

Linda McMahon’s nomination as Secretary of Education is more than a personnel decision—it reflects the ideological divides in how education policy is framed and debated in the United States. The contrasting narratives from these outlets highlight the role of media in shaping public discourse, revealing biases and influencing perceptions. As McMahon’s confirmation process unfolds, these divergent perspectives remind us of the complexities surrounding leadership in public education.

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References

Margolis, A & Steinhauser, S. (2024, November 19). Trump taps former WWE CEO Linda McMahon to serve as education secretary. Fox News. Link

Lubin, R. (2024, November 20). How much does Trump education pick Linda McMahon actually know about education? The Independent. Link

Rahman, K. (2024, November 20). Linda McMahon’s Nomination Attacked by Educators: ‘Slap in the Face’.Newsweek. Link

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