President Trump’s plan to restructure the Department of Education has sparked wild claims from liberal media figures. ABC’s Sunny Hostin and CNN’s Don Lemon recently pushed a conspiracy theory that Trump wants to keep Americans uneducated to create cheap labor and boost Republican votes. Their comments have drawn sharp criticism from conservatives who argue the real problem is decades of failed federal education policies.
Hostin claimed on “The View” that destroying the Department of Education would create “a permanent underclass” of cheap workers. She argued educated citizens cost more to employ and suggested Trump wants to suppress wages by limiting schooling access. Lemon echoed this on his canceled show, claiming uneducated voters would blindly support Republicans.
These claims ignore the Department of Education’s disastrous track record. Test scores have plummeted nationwide despite increased federal spending. Conservatives counter that returning control to states allows communities to tailor education to local needs rather than forcing one-size-fits-all programs from Washington bureaucrats.
The Trump administration’s recent executive order targets radical ideologies in schools, not basic education. It bans federal funding for gender ideology indoctrination and critical race theory while strengthening parental rights. This aligns with Trump’s promise to stop schools from pushing political agendas instead of teaching reading, writing, and math.
Hostin and Lemon’s theory crumbles under simple logic. Blue cities like Baltimore with high federal education spending have some of America’s worst schools. Meanwhile, red states like Florida rank highest in parent satisfaction by rejecting federal overreach and focusing on core academics.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized “the best education is closest to the child” during recent hearings. Her department is streamlining bloated bureaucracy to redirect funds to classrooms rather than administrators. Nearly half the Department of Education’s staff faced layoffs as part of this efficiency push.
Conservatives note Hostin and Lemon’s hypocrisy – both attended elite private schools while opposing school choice for working-class families. Their “keep them dumb” narrative insults millions of hardworking Americans who value practical skills over ivory tower theories.
The real divide isn’t educated vs uneducated, but grassroots parents vs coastal elites. Trump’s education reforms empower families to escape failing schools through vouchers and charter programs. As test scores rise in states embracing these policies, the desperation of liberal gatekeepers becomes increasingly clear.
