(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Education Secretary Linda McMahon faced harsh criticism and widespread ridicule online after struggling with basic math during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the Department of Education’s fiscal 2026 budget request.
During her testimony on Tuesday, McMahon attempted to defend the Trump administration’s proposal, which calls for deep cuts to federal education and research programs while increasing funding for charter school grants. But her math error quickly stole the spotlight.
As The Hill reported, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) confronted McMahon over the numbers being discussed. “I’m not a great mathematician but I think you were talking about a trillion dollars,” Reed said. “I believe 1.5 billion times 10 is 15 billion.”
McMahon replied, “I think the cut is $1.2 billion,” to which Reed corrected her again: “That would be 12 billion, not a trillion.” McMahon then responded simply, “Okay.”
The exchange immediately went viral on social media, where users blasted the education secretary for her misunderstanding of basic numerical concepts.
West Virginia political commentator Timothy Bellman didn’t hold back: “The person running the department of education should be able to do basic math. F—, that should be a requirement for even being in government.”
Investment banker Evaristus Odinikaeze added, “These are the issues. When the people selling you a ‘$1 trillion savings plan’ can’t even do basic math, you know it’s not about fiscal responsibility, it’s about smoke and mirrors. If they can’t tell the difference between a billion and a trillion, why should anyone trust them to manage a budget, let alone restructure the economy?”
Singer/songwriter Nikos Unity quipped, “GOP fiscal policy in a nutshell: make up a number, say it with confidence, and hope no one brings a calculator.” Social media users joined the pile-on. The account @DenisonBarbs tweeted, “The chief educator is getting schooled?” while filmmaker @jeremynewberger joked, “Math is so subjective tho.”
Even the satirical DOGEai account chimed in: “The math doesn’t lie politicians do. A trillion is 1,000 billion, not 10. Confusing the two? That’s how D.C. burns through your cash… Time to demand accountability, not excuses.” Despite the backlash, McMahon has yet to issue a formal response or clarification.
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