Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, appointed by President Donald Trump, is at the center of a controversy over a new unscripted series titled “The Great American Road Trip.” The five-part show, filmed over seven months, is set to air on YouTube ahead of America’s 250th birthday in July 2026. It follows Duffy, his wife Rachel Campos-Duffy, and their nine children on a cross-country journey.
The project has prompted an ethics complaint and public criticism regarding its funding sources and timing.
Production and Funding
Production costs for the series were covered by a nonprofit organization, The Great American Road Trip Inc. According to statements from Duffy and his wife, neither Duffy nor his family received a salary or royalties for their participation.
The nonprofit’s website lists sponsors that include Boeing, Shell, Toyota, United Airlines, and Royal Caribbean—companies that are subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The nonprofit’s executive director, Tori Barnes, formerly of the U.S. Travel Association, stated that the organization aims to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, promote travel, and highlight transportation infrastructure.
Duffy stated that zero taxpayer dollars were spent on his family, and that career ethics and budget officials at the Department of Transportation reviewed and approved his participation and individual travel in accordance with federal rules. A DOT spokesperson confirmed that the department covered Duffy’s flights for official engagements but that no taxpayer dollars were spent on his family. The spokesperson added that celebrating the 250th anniversary through the show is considered part of Duffy’s official duties.
Ethics Complaint
The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General. The complaint alleges potential violations of federal gift and travel rules.
CREW President Donald Sherman stated that the show raises questions about the use of government time and industry influence, and that government rules require employees to decline gifts that could cause a reasonable person to question their impartiality. Sherman questioned whether the trip constituted a personal vacation or official business.
In response, a DOT spokesperson stated that the department’s regulatory decisions are guided by career safety professionals, the law, and the facts.
Timing and Criticism
The trailer for the series was released during a period of elevated gasoline prices. According to reports, the average national gas price was approximately $4.55 per gallon, up roughly 50% from late February 2025. The rise in gas and jet fuel prices has been attributed in part to the US-Israel conflict with Iran disrupting the oil industry. A CNN poll from the period showed President Trump’s approval rating on the economy at 31%.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg described the series as “brutally out of touch,” stating that regular families cannot afford road trips due to gas prices. Chasten Buttigieg, Pete Buttigieg’s husband, criticized the trip on social media, describing it as a “multi-month, taxpayer-funded family road trip while gas and grocery prices soar.” Several Democratic governors also criticized the series.
In response, Rachel Campos-Duffy reiterated that all production costs were paid by the nonprofit and that no one in her family was paid. Duffy defended the project, stating on social media that critics oppose celebrating America and teaching civics.
The trip also overlapped with other notable events, including:
- A partial government shutdown that led to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages and long airport wait times (February to April 2025)
- A collision between an Air Canada jet and a fire truck at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport (April 2025), which killed two pilots and remains under federal investigation
- The collapse of Spirit Airlines, attributed in part to rising costs
Background
Prior to his political career, Sean Duffy was a cast member on MTV’s “The Real World: Boston” and later on “Road Rules: All Stars,” where he met his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, who is a Fox News host. The couple stated that they had rebuffed previous offers for reality shows but decided to produce this series after President Trump tasked Cabinet members with celebrating America’s 250th birthday. The series’ theme song was written by country musician John Rich.