Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy's upcoming summer family road trip reality show was mocked on Monday after he announced it was expected to be released sometime in August.
The show featuring the Trump administration official had raised red flags over ethics concerns — something News Nation anchor Marni Hughes pressed Duffy about during an interview inside a diner in Wisconsin with his son-in-law, Michael Alfonso, who is running for Congress for the seat Duffy once held.
Duffy argued it was not a reality show, despite reports that it was.
"We want to encourage people to get out and travel and see this beautiful country. If you love America you should see America is the motto," Duffy said.
"Stay tuned in the next maybe week, two weeks, we're going to drop it," Duffy added. "Just to be honest, we had to do a little extra editing, got to make sure I come into compliance with all the ethics rules that we have in government, so it's taken a little longer than I would have liked but yeah, expect that to come out shortly."
The interview, captured and shared by independent journalist Aaron Rupar, garnered reactions on social media.
"Sean Duffy says his long-awaited road trip show was delayed over ethical concerns, but will come out soon!" Will Sommer, senior reporter at The Bulwark, wrote on X.
"I get it's a Monday in August, but 9:44am eastern would typically be working hours for the Secretary of Transportation? And he's in a diner next to his son-in-law who's running for Congress? Touting his coming reality TV show?" Reporter and NYU Marron Institute scholar Nolan Hicks wrote on Bluesky.
"Nothing says 'summer family roadtrip reality show' like the end of August when kids are back in school in much of the country," Bill Kuchman, founder of The Omnicosm, wrote on Bluesky.
"It will coincide with the release of Trump's healthcare plan and the final triumph over Iran," Brian Finucane, senior adviser with the U.S. Program at the International Crisis Group, wrote on Bluesky.
"I mean, that's genuinely funny," Norm Wilner, consultant and host, wrote on Bluesky.
Sean Duffy says his long-awaited road trip show was delayed over ethical concerns, but will come out soon! https://t.co/T7dUhIRf1Z
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) August 10, 2026