Ms. McMahon, a former professional wrestling executive with little experience in education policy, has long been a Trump ally. Earlier, Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity physician, was selected to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Trump has wasted no time in moving to assemble his team for a second term in the White House -- naming Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser and Tom Homan as his " border czar ," among other positions. Inauguration Day is Jan. 20.

The 76-year-old, who has donated tens of millions of dollars to Donald Trump’s campaigns over the years, co-chairs the transition team.