Trump's education secretary avoids answering if she knows Ruby Bridges

Education Secretary Linda McMahon avoided a direct question asking if she has learned about Ruby Bridges.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon avoided a direct question asking if she has learned about Ruby Bridges, a key figure in the history of American school desegregation efforts.

During a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing Wednesday, Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) grilled the Trump appointee for answers on if teaching on subjects like the Tulsa Race Massacre or civil rights activist Ruby Bridges would be considered “illegal DEI” in classrooms.

“Do you know what the Tulsa race massacre is?” Lee asked, referring to a white mob’s 1921 attack on the city’s thriving Greenwood District that killed hundreds of residents and destroyed homes and Black businesses.

“I’d like to look into it more,” McMahon replied.

“How about the book ‘Through My Eyes’ by Ruby Bridges?” Lee asked.

“I haven’t read that,” McMahon said.

“Have you learned about Ruby Bridges?” said Lee.

“If you have specific examples,” McMahon replied, before Lee said: “That was an incredibly specific example. I named a specific book.”

“I will look into it and get back to you,” McMahon said.

Bridges was the first Black American child to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans during the Civil Rights Movement after federal courts ordered the desegregation of public schools.

McMahon also refused to answer Lee’s question on whether schools should teach that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election, a refeence to Oklahoma’s high school history curriculum requirement that students learn debunked conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was rigged.

“How about social studies standards that teach that President Biden won the 2020 election?” Lee asked.

“I think our studies should all be taught accurately,” McMahon replied.

“Yes or no?” Lee pressed.

“I think our studies–”

“No, no, no. The question was, do you believe that social studies standards that teach that President Biden won the 2020 election is an illegal DEI? Yes or no?” Lee asked.

“I think I have said we should teach accurately,” McMahon said, refusing to directly answer."

“No, you have not answered the question. I don’t understand why you’re incapable of answering,” Lee said.

“I’m just not giving you the answer you want.” McMahon replied.

Watch the full House committee below (Summer Lee’s questioning begins at 1:29:29).