Trump: 'I Want Linda to Put Herself Out of a Job'; on Biden's Talent Agency: 'You've Got to Be Kidding' (February 4, 2025)

Two weeks into his second term, President Donald Trump explained why he picked an education secretary for a department he wants gone. “Why nominate Linda McMahon to be the Education Department Secretary if you’re going to get rid of the Education Department?” a reporter asked in the Oval Office on Feb. 4, 2025, according to the transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

“Because I told Linda, ‘Linda, I hope you do a great job and put yourself out of a job.’ I want her to put herself out of a job,” Trump answered [1].

The video above shows Trump’s remarks in the Oval Office on Feb. 4, 2025. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project and the Federal Register [1][2][3].

”Number One in Cost per Pupil”

“So we’re ranked number 40 out of 40 schools, right? We’re ranked number one in cost per pupil. So we spend more per pupil than any other country in the world, and we’re ranked at the bottom of the list,” Trump said [1].

“And what I want to do is let the States run schools. I believe strongly in school choice, but in addition to that, I want the States to run schools. And I want Linda to put herself out of a job. Okay?” he said [1].

”Not Living Up to That Potential”

Trump signed an order pulling the United States out of the U.N. Human Rights Council and the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf said it came “in light of numerous actions taken by a number of bodies of the United Nations which exhibited deep anti-American bias.” [1]

“So I’ve always felt that the U.N. has tremendous potential. It’s not living up to that potential right now. It really isn’t. Hasn’t for a long time,” Trump said. “A lot of these conflicts that we’re working on should be settled, or at least, we should have some help in settling them, but we never seem to get help.” [1]

“You Would Have Never Had October 7”

He also signed a national security memorandum to restore “maximum pressure” on Iran. “It’s very tough on Iran. It’s what we had before. We would have never had the problem—you would have never had October 7. We would have never had the problem had the election gone the different way, which it should have,” Trump said [1].

“I’m going to sign it, but hopefully, we’re not going to have to use it very much. We will see whether or not we can arrange or work out a deal with Iran and everybody can live together,” he said. “When I left, you had peace all over the world. And now you have—the world is blowing up.” [1]

“Against China and Against Everybody Else”

Asked about China’s retaliatory tariffs, Trump said: “That’s fine. It’s fine. We’re going to do very well against China and against everybody else.” [1]

“I’ve never seen—the deficit with China is about a trillion dollars. Think of it, a trillion dollars. They’re—they’re using our money to build their military, and Biden let that happen,” he said [1].

”It’s a Pure Demolition Site”

Asked whether Jordan and Egypt should take Palestinians from Gaza, Trump said yes. “Look, the Gaza thing has not worked. It’s never worked. And I feel very differently about Gaza than a lot of people. I think they should get a good, fresh, beautiful piece of land,” he said [1].

“They don’t want to leave, though,” a reporter said. “I don’t know how they could want to stay. It’s a demolition site. It’s a pure demolition site,” Trump answered [1].

“If we could find the right piece of land or numerous pieces of land and build them some really nice places—there’s plenty of money in the area. That’s for sure. I think that would be a lot better than going back to Gaza, which has had just decades and decades of death,” he said [1].

”You’ve Got to Be Kidding”

The last question was about his predecessor. “What do you think about Joe Biden signing on with a talent agency?” a reporter asked. “You’ve got to be kidding,” Trump said, as the room laughed. “He signed on with a talent agency?” [1]

“I think he’s got bigger problems than that. I really do. I think he’s got much bigger problems than that. But I wish him well,” Trump said. “This place is a mess, but it’s quickly being solved—the problem. We’re going to make America great again.” [1]

Asked who would win the Super Bowl, he said: “I don’t want to say it, but there’s a certain quarterback that seems to be a pretty good winner.” [1]

By the Numbers

40 out of 40: where Trump said U.S. schools rank [1].
No. 1: in cost per pupil, per Trump [1].
2: U.N. bodies the order left, the Human Rights Council and UNRWA [1][2].

What Happened Next

The U.N. order took effect. Executive Order 14199 says: “The United States will not participate in the UNHRC and will not seek election to that body.” [2]

Trump moved to close the Education Department. On March 20, 2025, he signed Executive Order 14242. “The Secretary of Education shall, to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities,” it says [3].

“Unfortunately, the experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars—and the unaccountable bureaucracy those programs and dollars support—has plainly failed our children, our teachers, and our families,” the order says [3].

For Trump on the Education Department three days later, see HYGO News’ page on Feb. 7, 2025. For Trump’s hostage deadline six days later, see the page on Feb. 10, 2025.