Sean Duffy Faces Backlash Over “The Great American Road Trip” Reality Series Ahead of America’s 250th Birthday

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is facing criticism after he and his family filmed a seven-month reality series titled “The Great American Road Trip,” which is set to air for free on YouTube ahead of America’s 250th birthday.

“Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s new reality show, filmed with his family over the last seven months, has sparked criticism amid high gas prices, in addition to raising ethics questions”

CNN

CNN reported that Duffy said the costs for the five-part series were paid for by a nonprofit, the Great American Road Trip Inc., and that “zero taxpayer dollars were spent on my family.”

CNN

In the same dispute, Donald K. Sherman, the president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said in a statement that “As everyday Americans struggle with the price of gas and raise concerns about airline safety, the Secretary announces that he spent work time going on a road trip.”

NBC News said the show follows Duffy traveling across the country with his wife, Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy, and their nine children, and it quoted Duffy in the trailer saying, “The motto is: To love America is to see America.”

The backlash intensified after Pete Buttigieg called the series “brutally out of touch,” writing that “regular families can’t afford road trips anymore, because Trump and his war put gas prices through the roof.”

Chasten Glezman Buttigieg also attacked the project on X, saying the Duffys were “bragging about their multi-month, taxpayer-funded family road trip while gas and grocery prices soar for American families because of Trump’s war of choice.”

Fox News

Rachel Campos-Duffy responded by saying the production costs were paid for by a nonprofit, The Great American Road Trip, Inc., and she told critics to “Stand down, Chas,” in a reply reported by The Hill.

In a separate defense, Transportation Department spokesperson Nathaniel Sizemore told NBC News that politicians criticizing soaring gas prices “should sit this one out,” framing the show as part of the administration’s energy agenda.

Critics have also focused on the show’s sponsors, which CNN said include Boeing, Shell, Toyota, United Airlines and Royal Caribbean—companies that intersect with the Department of Transportation.

NBC News reported that conflict-of-interest concerns were raised because several sponsors, “including Boeing, Toyota, Shell, Royal Caribbean Group and United Airlines,” are companies that Duffy’s department oversees and regulates.

Duffy defended the project by saying that “Career ethics and budget officials at the Department of Transportation reviewed and approved both my participation and individual travel in accordance with federal rules,” according to CNN.

NBC News added that the Transportation Department said taxpayer funds were used only for official government travel, while Duffy said the show’s production costs were covered by The Great American Road Trip Inc. and that neither he nor his family received a salary or production royalties.