Let’s talk about a classic Donald Trump moment, shall we? On Friday, President-elect Trump took to his Truth Social platform to share some big news: his choice for the deputy secretary of education in his new administration. His pick? The former Tennessee Commissioner of Education, Penny Schwinn. Sounds straightforward, right? Not so fast.
In a twist that had people scratching their heads (or laughing out loud), Trump repeatedly referred to Penny as “Peggy” throughout his announcement. Yes, you read that right—he got the name of his own appointee wrong.
Here’s what Trump posted:
“A former teacher herself, Peggy became the founding principal of a charter school because she believes in the power of School Choice and is committed to delivering the American Dream to the next Generation by returning Education BACK TO THE STATES. Congratulations to Peggy and her wonderful family!”
While Trump showered Schwinn with praise for her dedication to education and her belief in school choice, the glaring name mix-up stole the spotlight.
The Internet Reacts
Social media, as expected, had a field day. Even investigative journalist Phil Williams chimed in, tweeting:
“Former Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn—apparently aka PEGGY Schwinn—tapped for Deputy Secretary of Education.”
Trump’s Track Record with Names
This isn’t Trump’s first rodeo when it comes to name blunders. Remember the time he accidentally misspelled his own name on social media? Or the time he mixed up former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi? Oh, and let’s not forget when he called his soon-to-be vice president JD Vance “JP” and “JD Mandel.”
The list goes on:
- He once referred to former President Jimmy Carter as “Jimmy Connors.”
- While discussing Congressman Matt Gaetz, he somehow landed on “Rick Gates.”
- And, in a particularly ironic twist, after questioning President Joe Biden’s mental sharpness, Trump mistakenly called Rep. Ronny Jackson “Ronny Johnson.”
A Little Humor, A Lot of Head-Scratching
Trump’s supporters might chalk this up to harmless errors, while his critics use it as fodder for their arguments. But one thing’s for sure—his unique ability to fumble names adds an unexpected layer of entertainment to his political journey.
Will this latest “Peggy or Penny” moment fade away, or will it join the ranks of Trump’s greatest hits? Only time will tell.
For now, one thing is clear: Penny Schwinn—oops, sorry, Peggy—has quite the memorable introduction to her new role.
