Did Trump's education head Linda McMahon allow sexual exploitation of children in WWE?
Published On : 2024-11-21T18:51:28+0530 [ IST ] |
Author : Mayur_Tembhare
Reading Time : 2 mins
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Linda McMahon, Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, is facing allegations of having knowingly enabled the sexual exploitation of children by a WWE employee in the 1980s.
McMahon co-founded the company with her husband Vince McMahon. During her tenure she helped transform WWE from a wrestling entertainment firm into a publicly traded media empire. She stepped down in 2009 to pursue a political career but lost Senate races in
As McMahon seeks confirmation for her new role a recent lawsuit casts doubt on her commitment to children’s welfare during her time at WWE.
The lawsuit alleges that McMahon allowed her husband WWE and its parent company TKO Group Holdings to use his position as a ringside announcer to sexually exploit children.
Allegations of abuse
The lawsuit claims Phillips recruited yobs.
The suit alleges that this role was a pretext for Phillips to sexually exploit the boys even in the presence of wrestlers and executives.
The plaintiffs, five individuals identified as John Does, allege they suffered emotional and mental trauma as a result and are seeking damages of over $30,000.
Phillips worked for WWE throughout the 1970s, '80s and '90s as a ringside announcer and crew chief. He was dismissed in 1988 following repeated allegations but was rehired six weeks later under the condition that he avoid contact with children.
The lawsuit also alleges that Vince McMahon acknowledged that both he and Linda were aware of Phillips’ “unnatural interest” in young boys as early as the 1980s.
Legal Responses
A lawyer representing Linda McMahon has called the allegations baseless and vowed to fight the lawsuit. Vince McMahon has similarly denied the claims.
Melvin Phillips passed away in 2012 and no criminal charges have been filed. However the Maryland Child Victims Act which became law in 2023 allowed victims to file civil claims for childhood sexual abuse regardless of when the abuse occurred. This legislation has opened the door for survivors to
Broader context
Linda McMahon previously served as head of the Small Business Administration in Trump’s first cabinet before stepping down in 2019 to lead a pro-Trump super PAC. She is also a co-founder and board chair of the America First Policy Institute
Vince McMahon stepped down from WWE earlier this year amid separate allegations of sexual assault and trafficking. He has also faced multiple lawsuits and investigations. A federal criminal investigation into Vince McMahon remains ongoing though it reportedly does not
Source : Reporters From Sunrise Chronicles
Tags : lindaallowed employee melvin phillips jr , Education , trumprehired six weeks later , America First Policy Institute , wweamerica first policy institute , World Wrestling Entertainment , phillipsmelvin phillips passed away , Vince , Secretary , Both ,
Summary :
Linda McMahon, Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, is facing allegations of having knowingly enabled the sexual exploitation of children by a WWE employee in the 1980s.
McMahon
