The founder of the WWE wrestling franchise has been chosen by Donald Trump as the leader of the Small Business Administration – the federal department in charge of providing small businesses with loans and support.

Linda McMahon, 68, is one of only a handful of people who can come close to Mr Trump on spending to win a federal position.

She ran unsuccessfully for a Senate seat in Connecticut twice, in 2010 and 2012, and spent $100 million in the process – outspending Ross Perot’s two presidential bids, which cost him $72 million.