Who Is Linda McMahon? And Why Did Trump Pick Her To Head Small Business Administration?

President-Elect Donald Trump has officially nominated pro-wrestling magnate Linda McMahon as the administrator of Small Business Administration. She is known for her career developing WWE with her husband Vince McMahon. McMahon was active with WWE from 1980 to 2009. Her net worth is currently valued at $500 million.

McMahon, 68, a former Republican Party candidate, has been on the radar as a top choice for Trump’s small business chief, as noted by Politico in late November:

“Linda McMahon, a professional wrestling executive and former Republican contender for Connecticut’s U.S. Senate seats, is among the top contenders to lead Trump’s Small Business Administration, sources close to the matter tell POLITICO.

McMahon has talked to several members of the transition team over the last few days about the SBA position, and it’s looking increasingly likely, one transition source said. “It’s very, very real,” the source added. “For the last several days, it has been discussed seriously internally.”

The 68-year-old co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. began publicly supporting Trump when she became a top donor to the president-elect throughout the fall, giving $6 million to a pro-Trump super PAC run by Florida Gov. Rick Scott. But the Connecticut Republican wasn’t always a Trump fan: She called New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie her favorite during the Republican primary, and she criticized some of Trump’s rhetoric during the campaign as “deplorable.”

Rumors of McMahon’s possible appointment gained steam after McMahon met with the president-elect at Trump Tower NYC. She later described the meeting as “a really good conversation.” She told pool reporters in the tower lobby that they discussed business, entrepreneurs, creating jobs and the SBA.