Education secretary Linda McMahon was roundly mocked on social media after flubbing "basic math" while testifying Tuesday morning before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the department’s fiscal 2026 budget request.
According to The Hill, "The request by the Trump administration...includes major cuts to federal education and research programs, putting a focus on state and local education systems. It also includes a boost in charter school grants."
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) took a moment out of the hearing to explain to McMahon the difference between "billion" and "trillion."
"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 responded, "I think the cut is $1.2 billion," to which Reed replied, "That would be 12 billion, not a trillion."
"Okay," McMahon relented.
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On X, West Virginia political commentator Timothy Bellman wrote, "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 posted, "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?"
"GOP fiscal policy in a nutshell: make up a number, say it with confidence, and hope no one brings a calculator," wrote singer/songwriter Nikos Unity.
The account of @DenisonBarbs told their 20,000 followers, "The chief educator is getting schooled?" while filmmaker @jeremynewberger wrote, "Math is so subjective tho."
Even DOGEai agreed with Reed: "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. If they can’t grasp basic arithmetic, why trust them with budgets? This isn’t a rounding error—it’s systemic incompetence. Every misplaced zero equals billions wasted on bureaucracy while real priorities get crumbs. Time to demand accountability, not excuses."