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For Some Reason, Trump's Education Secretary Can't Pronounce 'AI' Correctly

During a speech earlier this week, Linda McMahon kept referring to "artificial intelligence" as "A1" — like the steak sauce.

WestNet News wire Source: HuffPost
For Some Reason, Trump's Education Secretary Can't Pronounce 'AI' Correctly

Linda McMahon, Donald Trump’s secretary of education, proved this week she needs to get educated about artificial intelligence.

Seriously.

The former professional wrestling promoter made her ignorance about AI public knowledge earlier this week when she spoke at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego on Tuesday.

During her appearance at the summit, McMahon stressed the potential positive impact artificial intelligence could have on educating the nation’s youth, but her message may not have been as effective as it could have been, thanks to one teensy-weensy, itty-bitty little mistake on her part.

Although AI is supposed to rhyme with “they lie,” McMahon repeatedly pronounced it as “A1,” which Gizmodo noted was “just like the steak sauce.”

The “A1” error was bizarre, considering that she did correctly refer to “AI development” moments before, Mediaite noted.

Still, McMahon’s error did provide some fodder for social media snark.

When the Department of Education Secretary does not understand what Al is. Artificial intelligence is not A1 learning. pic.twitter.com/JkOprO329j

— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) April 10, 2025

For F’s sake. Every member of Trump’s cabinet is a cosplayer. Not a damn one of them knows one iota about their jobs. Linda McMahon Refers to AI as "A1" at Education Conference https://t.co/yeJsJWxzdy

— IndividualH (@IndividualH2) April 10, 2025

Methinks a woman who has no formal education background nor an education degree & has overlooked/hidden numerous sex & steroid scandals should not be anywhere near childhood education! Plus, A1 steak sauce sucks. No properly cooked steak needs sauce.

— El Jefe (@theLVBigGuy) April 10, 2025
BlueSky

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said she wants to incorporate “A1” in our schools… like the steak sauce. The inexperienced Trump appointee seems to have gotten confused while speaking on a panel with AI CEOs attempting to curry favor with the administration. pic.twitter.com/rhSsZDd1kq

— Cheyenne Hunt (@CheyenneHuntCA) April 10, 2025
BlueSky

@Linda_McMahon You really thought that kids should get “A1” education? Just about everyone in the world knows it’s AI, but you don’t. And you lead the DoE? This country is doomed. My wife’s a kindergarten teacher. She’s pissed that someone who knows nothing leads the DoE.

— Mike Ogulnick (@joshzach9) April 10, 2025

Education Secretary Linda McMahon keeps referring to AI as A1 and talking about how it will help "students at all levels." But how can we get those kids to drink it? Linda added, "The smarter kids can move up to Thousand Island Dressing" pic.twitter.com/jTnkjYSkBy

— Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) April 10, 2025

From the floor of #asugsv #asugsv2024 - Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon did indeed say "A1" instead of "AI". There seems to be some confusion as to whether it happened, but I was there - and yes, she said A1, multiple times.

— Dr. Mary Jo Madda (@MJMadda) April 9, 2025

Only the best people

— Speak Truth to Power (@plsthnk4urself) April 10, 2025

I know it's low hanging fruit, but someone had to do it. With thanks to Linda McMahon for the inspiration. pic.twitter.com/YrhHBzz0FL

— David J. Gunkel (@David_Gunkel) April 10, 2025

This isn’t the first time McMahon seemed unaware of the meaning of key acronyms.

Last month, she admitted during an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham that she didn’t know that IDEA stood for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.