Linda McMahon’s Surprise Comeback Shakes Up Politics and WWE Fans

Washington, D.C.—Education Secretary Linda McMahon is rapidly reshaping America’s education landscape as she presses ahead with an unprecedented plan to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling a long-standing pledge by former President Donald Trump. Historic step toward department closure On Tuesday, McMahon released a 200-page transition blueprint that details how core programs—including Pell Grants, special-education funds, and civil-rights enforcement—will be reassigned to the Departments of Treasury, Labor, Justice, and Health and Human Services. The document sets a July 1, 2026, target for formally shuttering the cabinet-level agency, a move Politico calls “the most sweeping federal reorganization in half a century”. Federal aid stays—for now Parents and school districts worried about lost dollars can breathe, at least temporarily. McMahon told CBS News that all Title I funds for low-income schools, special-education grants, and student-loan subsidies will “continue without disruption” during the migration to other agencies. She also confirmed that existing FAFSA applications will be processed on schedule. Harvard negotiations signal new era of direct deals Behind the scenes, McMahon’s team is brokering individual agreements with flagship universities to pilot a “state-plus” governance model that blends federal oversight with private-sector partnerships. Reuters reports that negotiations with Harvard University—covering student-aid compliance and research funding—are “close to being finalized,” signaling how elite schools could serve as templates for the post-DOE ecosystem. Mixed reactions across the education sector Teacher unions warn that dismantling the department may weaken civil-rights enforcement and undermine nationwide standards, while Republican governors in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee praise the shift as a long-overdue return of power to the states. Higher-education lobbyists remain cautiously optimistic, noting that McMahon’s roadmap pledges to streamline grant reporting and cut red tape. What happens next • January 2026: Draft legislation to sunset the DOE heads to the House Education and Workforce Committee. • Spring 2026: Pilot universities finalize compliance contracts with Treasury and Labor. • July 1, 2026: Target date for official closure; roughly 3,800 DOE employees will either retire, transfer, or face reassignment. Bottom line Linda McMahon’s aggressive timetable, coupled with assurances that federal school aid will not lapse, positions her as one of the most consequential—and controversial—education secretaries in U.S. history. Whether the plan ultimately boosts local control or breeds bureaucratic chaos will dominate headlines in the months ahead, keeping “Linda McMahon” a top search query for educators, parents, and policymakers alike.