By Julia Benbrook, CNN
(CNN) – 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.
Duffy said that costs for the five-part series titled “The Great American Road Trip,” which will air for free on You Tube ahead of America’s 250th birthday, were paid for by a nonprofit, the Great American Road Trip Inc., and that “zero taxpayer dollars were spent on my family.” He said his family did not receive a salary or production royalties.
The project’s sponsors, according to its website, include Boeing, Shell, Toyota, United Airlines and Royal Caribbean – all companies that intersect with the Department of Transportation.
“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 that appears to have been funded by the very industries his agency oversees,” Donald K. Sherman, the president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said in a statement.
This show brings Duffy and his wife, Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy, back to their entertainment roots. The pair, who have nine children together, met while filming the MTV reality show “Road Rules: All Stars.”
“To love America is to see America,” Duffy says in the trailer that released Friday.
“It’s one of the most powerful ways to understand the vast, beautiful, complicated place we call home,” he says over video of destinations spanning from sweeping fields to bustling cities.
The Duffy family said they filmed the show one to two days at a time over the course of seven months. Trip activities included running up the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, snowmobiling in Montana, and a stop at “The Real World: Boston” house where Duffy first gained reality television fame.
Duffy and his family embarked on the journey with a kickoff from President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
“Taking a little trip? A little trip all over?” Trump says to the Duffys in the trailer.
Campos-Duffy, a co-host on “Fox and Friends Weekend,” says in the trailer that “‘The Great American Road Trip’ will inspire families to step away from the noise, hit the open road and reconnect with what matters most.”
The trailer’s release has sparked criticism; however it comes at a time when it is less feasible for many Americans to embark on road trips or other travel.
The US-Iran war has raised gas prices significantly; they hit $4.55 a gallon Friday worsening affordability issues. More than two months into this conflict consumer sentiment has declined considerably. Many Americans are cutting back on essentials including spending for trips as reported by CNN.
Meanwhile Trump’s approval rating regarding economic management recently dropped to an all-time low of 31%, according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS last month reflecting widespread pessimism among Americans concerning this issue they consistently view as paramount.
“Secretary Duffy has already taken action to make cars” affordable and support president’s “energy dominance agenda,” stated a Department of Transportation spokesperson in response.
Pete Buttigieg who served as transportation secretary under President Joe Biden criticized Duffy’s new series as being “brutally out of touch” adding that “regular families can’t afford road trips anymore because Trump and his war put gas prices through the roof.”
Buttigieg’s husband Chasten Glezman Buttigieg called this new show “unserious” stating that Duffy family is “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.”
Campos-Duffy responded saying “all production costs were paid for by non-profit The Great American Road Trip Inc. No one in my family – including my husband – was paid to do this.”
The Great American Road Trip is described as an independent nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization according to its website.
“Proudly partnering with U. S Department of Transportation The Great American Road Trip fully funds its own efforts celebrating sharing America’s story,” reads their website along with lists corporate sponsors including trade groups gas companies tourism agencies.
“Government rules clarify even if gift isn’t technically ‘conduit’ gift government employees should decline acceptance if it raises reasonable doubts about impartiality which this certainly does,” remarked Sherman from Citizens for Responsibility Ethics Washington.
Duffy posted lengthy message Saturday on X defending project writing “Career ethics budget officials at Department Transportation reviewed approved both my participation individual travel accordance federal rules.”
Asked CNN whether taxpayer dollars used for individual travel spokesperson responded celebrating America’s 250th anniversary includes through “The Great American Road Trip” part official duties.
“On these brief stops Secretary also often conducted additional visits like touring air traffic control towers assessing port infrastructure. Like any other official engagements department covered flight,” they emphasized no taxpayer dollars spent family’s expenses costs covered show’s sponsors included gas car rentals lodging activities.
Sherman meanwhile commented despite secretary’s vigorous defense there still numerous questions warrant investigation: was appropriate use government time? What role did industry play funding it?”
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