U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon weighed in on the recommendation of former University of Alabama President Stuart Bell to take the helm of the University of Florida, starting a chain reaction of responses from U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and the university itself.

McMahon reposted a letter from Scott raising concerns about the hiring process, along with a message that more directly addresses widespread concerns about Bell’s history of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion at UA.

“We need bold leaders to reorient higher education toward merit, truth-seeking, and academic rigor. Florida has led the fight to get discriminatory DEI out of our schools and universities. UF deserves a president who will continue to drive those reforms,” McMahon posted.

Scott replied to McMahon, saying, "Thank you for helping bring attention to this @EDSecMcMahon. Florida taxpayers deserve transparency and @UF students deserve leadership focused on setting them up for success."

The University of Florida then posted in support of Bell.

".@EDSecMcMahon is correct. DEI is discriminatory by design, antithetical to the purpose of a university, and incompatible with the pursuit of truth. The University of Florida has already acted on that conviction. In December 2025, our Board of Trustees adopted institutional neutrality and embedded an anti-DEI mandate within the presidential contract itself, ensuring that no university funds, public or private, will underwrite DEI at this institution. Dr. Stuart Bell stands with Secretary McMahon, the Board, and the people of Florida on this. He is ready to lead UF forward as a university defined by merit, rigor, and the pursuit of truth," the post read.

UF explained the process in a second post.

"The second phase of the process, the phase now underway, is entirely public. The search finalist, Dr. Stuart Bell, will participate in public forums open to faculty, students, staff, the public and the media. Members of the community will have the opportunity to ask questions on a wide range of topics, including Dr. Bell’s positions and leadership decisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In addition to these forums, the Board of Trustees will interview Dr. Bell at a public meeting. If selected as president-elect, the Florida Board of Governors will interview Dr. Bell at a public confirmation hearing. Both hearings are open to the public, including students, faculty, staff, the public and the media," the school posted.

According to the school, "Dr. Stuart Bell will visit Gainesville on June 3 to meet with students, faculty and staff. Members of the UF community are invited to join forums beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Emerson Hall. The UF Board of Trustees will interview Dr. Bell on June 10."

Students, faculty and school staff are able to submit questions on the school's search website.

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