A much-anticipated but minimally viewed reality show starring a member of President Donald Trump's cabinet was subjected to a scathing review on CNN Thursday morning.
Episodes of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's "Great American Road Trip" — sponsored by corporations he regulates who admit spending millions on the project— received as little as 400 pageviews and a one-word critique from CNN panelist Meghan Hays.
"Gross," Hays declared. "It's corrupt, it's gross."
Duffy, a former reality television star, has faced mounting criticism from Senators, watchdogs and the media, all of whom raise concerns about an executive branch official receiving gifts of hotel stays, flights and ski trips from corporations his policies impact.
Both Boeing and Toyota have admitted they spent $1 million on the Transportation secretary's series, and a list of sponsors includes Royal Caribbean Group, United Airlines and Lyft.
While the cash was run through a nonprofit, and the Transportation Department denies taxpayer money funded the series, Hays argued it was still inappropriate.
As proof, Hays pointed to a controversial clip in which Duffy tells his daughter he doesn't want her to go to Harvard — and noted his son-in-law Michael Alfonso is running for Congress in Wisconsin.
"It's highlighting them," Hays said. "This is about the Duffy family elevating themselves, let's be clear, on the backs of companies in America who want better regulations for themselves."
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