President-elect Donald Trump has announced former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy as his pick for transportation secretary. Duffy, a former reality TV star and vocal Trump supporter, served nearly nine years in Congress on the Financial Services Committee and chaired the subcommittee on insurance and housing. Since leaving Congress in 2019, Duffy has co-hosted “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business.
Trump highlighted Duffy’s experience in Congress and his strong media presence, including his connection to Fox News through his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy. This marks the second Fox-affiliated personality Trump has named to his Cabinet, following the nomination of Pete Hegseth as defense secretary.
Duffy, known for his background as a lumberjack athlete and MTV reality TV star, transitioned into politics during the Tea Party wave of 2010. His campaign gained attention for its unique ads featuring him chopping wood and embracing his lumberjack heritage. He resigned from Congress in 2019 to focus on his family, including a child with a heart condition.
As transportation secretary, Duffy would oversee the nation’s transportation systems, including highways, railroads, airlines, and emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles. He would face challenges such as rising traffic fatalities, the shift to electric vehicles, and safety concerns around new technologies like battery fires and driverless vehicles.
Trump emphasized Duffy’s focus on infrastructure improvement, innovation, and enhancing the travel experience for Americans. Industry leaders, including Airlines for America CEO Nicholas Calio, expressed support for Duffy’s nomination, citing his ability to address key transportation issues.
Trump’s administration is expected to slow the transition to electric vehicles, aligning with his previous criticisms of EV policies. However, he has softened his stance on electric vehicles recently after receiving support from Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Trump stated that Duffy’s leadership would prioritize safety, efficiency, and competitiveness while addressing issues like diversity programs in air travel, which Trump has criticized.