Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his husband Chasten Buttigieg tried to take shots at Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos-Duffy over their upcoming “Great American Road Trip” television series — and it backfired fast.
The drama erupted after the Duffys announced the new reality-style series on Fox News during “Fox & Friends.” Almost immediately, Chasten Buttigieg rushed onto X to accuse the family of taking a “taxpayer-funded” road trip while Americans struggle with rising costs. Because apparently celebrating America’s 250th birthday is now offensive to the Left if conservatives are involved.
Chasten claimed the couple was “unfocused, unserious, and out of touch,” while also reviving old complaints over criticism Pete Buttigieg faced during his tenure at the Department of Transportation.
Not to be left out, Pete Buttigieg joined the pile-on, arguing that Americans “can’t afford road trips anymore” because of President Donald Trump and his policies. Interesting argument coming from a former transportation secretary who spent years overseeing travel chaos, airline meltdowns, and supply chain disasters while appearing on cable news every other day.
Rachel Campos-Duffy quickly shut down the accusations, clarifying that the project was funded entirely through the nonprofit “The Great American Road Trip, Inc.” and that no taxpayer money was involved whatsoever. She explained the family participated voluntarily to honor America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration and filmed the series in brief one- and two-day segments over several months.
She also delivered a direct hit at Buttigieg’s record, stating that Sean Duffy accomplished more in one year leading the Department of Transportation and air traffic control modernization efforts than Pete Buttigieg did during his entire four-year tenure.
Sean Duffy followed up Saturday with an even stronger response, blasting what he called the “radical, miserable left” for attacking a show centered around family, patriotism, and American culture.
According to Duffy, ethics and budget officials at the Department of Transportation fully reviewed and approved his participation under federal guidelines. He emphasized once again that zero taxpayer dollars funded the production and noted filming only occurred during weekends, spring break, and other personal family time.
The reaction from critics only reinforced what many Americans already see happening across the country: anything wholesome, patriotic, or openly pro-American immediately becomes a target for political activists determined to turn every family activity into a partisan fight.
Still, despite the outrage machine kicking into overdrive, the Duffys appear unfazed. And frankly, Americans could probably use a little more positivity, family values, and pride in the country — even if that seems to upset certain people on social media.