A couple of weeks ago we learned how United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was launching the “Great American Road Trip” series, whereby he and his family would take a road trip to showcase how beautiful the United States is.
There’s nothing wrong with that, and indeed, there are a lot of things in the United States worth seeing. The issue, however, was how this was funded. The road trip was entirely funded through sponsorships, with many of the sponsors being companies that Duffy regulates, including Boeing and United Airlines.
Given the Federal Aviation Administration’s concerning history with Boeing (which ultimately contributed to two 737 MAX crashes), that just rubs me the wrong way. I mean, we really think Boeing wants to spend $1 million sponsoring a road trip because it thinks it’s good marketing, rather than because it’s hoping to gain favor with the person who regulates the company? So along those lines, there’s now an update…
In this post:
Duffy gets very defensive in Senate questioning
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Duffy appeared in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to defend the Transportation Department’s budget request. Not surprisingly, one big topic of questioning involved Duffy’s sponsored road trip, and the conflict of interest there.
The level of immaturity and anger displayed by Duffy in response to the questioning really isn’t very becoming. For a guy who is claiming he wants to bring civility and kindness back to air travel, he sure doesn’t seem to display that kind of behavior in the Senate.
Essentially, Duffy’s only real defense of the road trip has been to suggest that everyone else is compromised as well, by pointing out potential contributions they’ve received with their political campaigns.
For example, you can see the below interaction with Senator Patty Murray from Washington, where Duffy gets angriest. He was asked what a company that spends $1 million sponsoring the road trip receives.
He refuses to answer that, and instead asks Murray what someone gets if they’re from the healthcare industry and give her $2 million. He then just starts yelling random things over her, about how she doesn’t support lower gas prices. “Welcome to MAGA, welcome to ‘drill baby drill,’ are you going to drill? Do you support lower gas prices? I welcome that!”
Duffy’s more partisan Department of Transportation account of course has a different take, and posts parts of the same clip, suggesting that “HOLY SMOKES: Democrat gets absolutely COOKED by Secretary Duffy.” Okay…
The interaction with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York was also quite something. When questioned about the sponsors, his response is to point out how Gillibrand reportedly received $7 million in contributions from the trial bar in her state. He even claims the trial bar spent $500K to fly her on a private jet, and she responds by saying she has never been on a private jet.
Duffy really can’t even try to defend himself here
It’s interesting how Duffy doesn’t even attempt to justify the funding of this road trip series. He basically defends why he did the road trip series, and that’s logic I can buy. In theory, I can see how this is a positive for promoting in the United States, so I don’t judge him for that.
The issue is just how this is being funded — it’s not just about accepting private donations, but they’re literally from the companies that Duffy is supposed to regulate, and where safety is a huge factor.
Duffy’s only defense is to throw in other peoples’ faces how they’ve also received donations from others, in a way that presents a potential conflict of interest. I’m not sure I see Duffy’s point here — is he suggesting there’s no conflict of interest with any of this funding, or just that everyone has equal conflicts of interest? Let me say this:
- On all parts of the political spectrum, I think there’s a massive conflict of interest that politicians have, both in terms of how their campaigns are funded, and also in terms of their ability to trade while in office; if you ask me, it’s a little problematic when some of the people with the best trading records (like Nancy Pelosi) are also our lawmakers
- While I support widespread restrictions on enriching oneself while in office, I do think there are different levels of problematic behavior, based on precedent, if nothing else; we accept that campaign donations from just about any company are okay, but to take a donation while in office from the biggest businesses in the industry you regulate is something with less precedent
Honestly, the biggest thing that rubs me the wrong way about this is just the optics, and how tone deaf it is. Remember following the two Boeing 737 MAX crashes, how much we learned about the relationship between the FAA and Boeing, and how that contributed to two fatal accidents?
We’re just supposed to believe that Boeing has no real motive for donating $1 million to a show about a road trip? I’m not suggesting that Duffy will necessarily regulate the company differently, but does anyone not believe that Boeing’s motive here is to gain favor with regulators?
Seriously, to me this is a non-political issue, and I’d view it the same regardless which party we were talking about. I guess to flip the script a bit, if Joe Biden were still president and Hunter Biden got a $1 million consulting contract with Boeing, would you also find that to be fair game?
Bottom line
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was questioned in the Senate about his road trip, funded by companies like Boeing, United Airlines, and Toyota, all of which he’s supposed to regulate. His defense basically boiled down to pointing out how everyone else is compromised as well, which… well, I guess that’s one way to do it.
What do you make of Duffy’s road trip defense?
Whataboutisms and immaturity while engaging in blatant self enrichment and corruption perfectly sums up the current US, doesn't it? Empathy is 'woke', a sense of togetherness or even just trying to pretend there's a fabric of society is 'liberal dei crap', and having a conscience is a 'weakness'. But that's the current American dream. It's almost as if the US wants to self-destruct.
It's time to make it forbidden for anyone in power to...
Whataboutisms and immaturity while engaging in blatant self enrichment and corruption perfectly sums up the current US, doesn't it? Empathy is 'woke', a sense of togetherness or even just trying to pretend there's a fabric of society is 'liberal dei crap', and having a conscience is a 'weakness'. But that's the current American dream. It's almost as if the US wants to self-destruct.
It's time to make it forbidden for anyone in power to do stock trading and for politicians and political parties to accept donations. Also invest in education with real science and facts, not bibles. See how fast things change then.
What an embarrassing twit.
We are approaching a lawless society.
It will be a sad day, and pretty darn frightening when we reach that world without law.
Fluffy Duffy is dumb as a box of rocks. Ask anyone who has had a conversation with him.
Another shameless piece of shit from a shameless administration. We live in the worst time ever.
I am so disgusted by this unbelievably corrupt regime who are shameless and in their minds blameless.
I was 16 back in 1976, an era fresh from Vietnam and Watergate and I remember how exciting the 200 anniversary was.
There is only sadness now.
MAGA has taken our flag and filled our government with incompetence like Hegseth and Duffy.
SHAME
Lost me at the contributions airlines make to Senators and Congresspeople. They do. And they expect in return. So while it’s a conflict for for Duffy; it is for everyone in that room. This is why we need reform to funding campaigns. No company. No union. Only voters
We do need reforms. But, let’s be clear: Secretary Duffey is being specifically corrupt, here. And, if there was enforcement on ethics, Duffey would resign in disgrace. But, instead of that, you’re just both-sides-ing to distract and diminish this corrupt administration’s culpability. (The worst part is where you attempt to to use this to attack the workers…)
Ben, I've followed OMAAT for years and only registered to say this: an article critiquing a Cabinet secretary's 'immaturity' in a Senate hearing is political commentary, not travel content. And this seems to be one of many posts in recent weeks. I come here for flight reviews and points strategy, not op-eds- no matter what the views are on current governance. I hope the balance shifts back — this site is genuinely great when it...
Ben, I've followed OMAAT for years and only registered to say this: an article critiquing a Cabinet secretary's 'immaturity' in a Senate hearing is political commentary, not travel content. And this seems to be one of many posts in recent weeks. I come here for flight reviews and points strategy, not op-eds- no matter what the views are on current governance. I hope the balance shifts back — this site is genuinely great when it sticks to what it does best. We get enough political views in everything else we read these days.
Too bad. It’s relevant. You just disagree with Ben’s take on current events related to this community (travel). It’s okay to disagree, but Ben and the other commenters here should not self-censor. The answer to speech you don’t like is often more speech. Engage or ignore. Like, you weren’t forced to read this post if it really triggers you…
You don't even have a name typical looney left his point was he wants travel dialogue not politics
If only I had a real name… like ‘Rand’… *facepalm*
Then stop reading asshole.
@marvmar
Perhaps there's so many political/political-adjacent articles because the current admin is the most brazenly corrupt in our modern history, and even their actual decisionmaking outside of the grifting has severely impacted the travel sphere in multiple ways? This ain't your safe space snowflake.
Exactly, Ben is trying to get clicks. I respect the hustle, but it does not apply to what makes OMAAT great. Some might say, "Just skip the article, but having more click-bait, rage-bait, articles ruins the great work that Ben puts out. But at the end of the day... this is Ben's site so he can do what he wants. Although it's sad seeing more of this unproductive content on this site.
"Whataboutism" is a perfectly valid argument. Nothing wrong with whataboutism.
You forgot the "/s"
GOB Strategy:
Blame it on Biden. If that doesn't work
scream everyone does it. If that doesn't work
just say you don't know or you haven't read about that. Rinse repeat.
There are certainly not many countries in this world who could survive a government made up completely by incompetent and corrupt people.
Florian, it seems impossible to name any country without a “Government made up completely by incompetent and corrupt people” …. :-)
It's disgusting that the GOP committee chairs won't check these clowns when they throw toddler tantrums like this and won't hold these clowns accountable when they blatantly give false testimony to Congress. The Trump GOP truly is a cult where the only thing that matters is sucking up to the Dear Leader.
The posts below make for some interesting reading, one simply cannot wait for the proletariat bigotry to commence later.
There you are Ben, my contribution to your click count …. :-)
A government of laws, not people... Things that have disappeared with the MAGA followers. Those cowards must stick with the insanity to keep their jobs. Good luck Duffy.
This is the guy whose wife had sex with another cast member on her season of reality TV. He’s probably jacked up because he got half as far up her a$$ on this “road trip” as that skater punk Puck.
Lots of crying babies
What do you expect ? The entire US republican administration are liars and grifters. Of course he is going to be obnoxious and not respond.
Deflection is the name of the game for this administration. The administration blames DEI, immigrants, trans and so-called Marxists for problems they created.
Disappointed in Boeing and United Airlines as they should know better about the optics. Kirby has become a snake and I don’t believe that Boeing has changed at all post Max accidents.
Campaign financing in the United States is a multi billion dollar industry. Looking in as a non American, it seems all politicians are on an endless treadmill to raise money for their next election. Some seem to do so with many, small, individual donations while others rely on corporate or wealthy individuals to donate large sums. I suspect no matter who is giving money, large or small, it is with an expectation of some benefit....
Campaign financing in the United States is a multi billion dollar industry. Looking in as a non American, it seems all politicians are on an endless treadmill to raise money for their next election. Some seem to do so with many, small, individual donations while others rely on corporate or wealthy individuals to donate large sums. I suspect no matter who is giving money, large or small, it is with an expectation of some benefit. That benefit may be solely to ensure the other party's candidate is not elected. I find it a bit disingenuous for one politician to be criticizing another for their funding choices.
Dan, as a non-American, you actually get it more than most Americans do. Significant reforms are sorely needed to get dark money and Super PACs out of politics. (The corporate consolidation of media certainly doesn't help either...)
The DISCLOSE Act would be a great start for transparency, but the ultimate fix would be a Constitutional Amendment overturning Citizens United and Buckley v. Valeo. The catch is getting a 2/3rds majority in both chambers of Congress,...
Dan, as a non-American, you actually get it more than most Americans do. Significant reforms are sorely needed to get dark money and Super PACs out of politics. (The corporate consolidation of media certainly doesn't help either...)
The DISCLOSE Act would be a great start for transparency, but the ultimate fix would be a Constitutional Amendment overturning Citizens United and Buckley v. Valeo. The catch is getting a 2/3rds majority in both chambers of Congress, plus ratification by 38 states, all of which is an incredibly steep hill to climb right now. (Oh, and this particular President would fight all that. For sure.)
Public financing of campaigns is another huge piece of the puzzle. We actually use systems like matching funds here in NY/NYC, and it's a decent model for leveling the playing field. Got any better ideas?
The Article V provisions set à high bar for Constitutional Amendments - 27 out of 11000 amendments so far. Deliberate wording by the Framers of the constitution to avoid it being hijacked by the flavour of the day majority. Spending limits are imposed on some elections here, but mostly municipal elections where voter turnout is low. I suspect there will be no substantive changes. Excessive demands on Members of Congress to raise funds for the...
The Article V provisions set à high bar for Constitutional Amendments - 27 out of 11000 amendments so far. Deliberate wording by the Framers of the constitution to avoid it being hijacked by the flavour of the day majority. Spending limits are imposed on some elections here, but mostly municipal elections where voter turnout is low. I suspect there will be no substantive changes. Excessive demands on Members of Congress to raise funds for the forever election cycle is cited as a factor in the decision by some to not run in the next midterm elections.
Dan, you're right that Article V is a very high bar; which is likely why the Framers were encouraging legislative fixes to future problems. So, that's where I think ideas like passing the DISCLOSE Act are more realistic, even if it's just a start. It would reveal mega-donors, close the shell company loopholes, ban foreign contributions, and major funders and corporate CEOs to personally appear in and approve their attack ads. Still, it would not...
Dan, you're right that Article V is a very high bar; which is likely why the Framers were encouraging legislative fixes to future problems. So, that's where I think ideas like passing the DISCLOSE Act are more realistic, even if it's just a start. It would reveal mega-donors, close the shell company loopholes, ban foreign contributions, and major funders and corporate CEOs to personally appear in and approve their attack ads. Still, it would not account for all the micro-targeting of our personal algorithms, the constant astroturfing, etc., which is a big problem globally.
I did not watch all these hearings, only clips. But the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh stood out the most. He was the only job candidate, in the country and the world, who blasted at the panel of interviewers and still got lifetime position on the country's highest court that has the final say in all aspects of life, including matters in which these justices have no background. No education, training and experience. They lack the...
I did not watch all these hearings, only clips. But the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh stood out the most. He was the only job candidate, in the country and the world, who blasted at the panel of interviewers and still got lifetime position on the country's highest court that has the final say in all aspects of life, including matters in which these justices have no background. No education, training and experience. They lack the humility and decency to defer these matters to those who have lifetime qualification to handle them. These cabinet ministers and high officials must display a combative and confrontational attitude at these hearings to compete with other appointees to receive exemplary credits from Trump.
Two defining character traits of MAGA are whininess and petulance.
Don't forget rape, child molestation, human trafficking, murder, cruelty, corruption, gaslighting, election theft, and collusion with foreign governments. The list is endless, actually.
And their claims to being "Christian" are laughable. Jesus would put his finger down his throat and puke on these people.
THE MOST CORRUPT ADMINISTRATION IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY!!!
Agreed. Trump makes Nixon, Teapot Dome, Crédit Mobilier and other historic grifts look like a joke.
1000%!!
Isn't conflict of interests just the very nature of American politics on all sides?
No. This is not a both-sides, or an all-sides 'thing.' Your attempt to sow doubt here is pathetic.
And, if Sec. Pete did this, there'd probably have been another J6 to oust him. C'mon.
Perhaps, Duffy can make a claim for some of that $1.776 billion Trump slush fund… (Folks, the blatant corruption is getting unreal. 168 days until midterms. Vote these jokers out.)
Sean Duffy is a reality TV idiot, not an administrator. The Administration is simply finishing off the country, stealing from the American people, running its coffers dry, and setting the stage for a massive debt default which will push America into poverty and irrelevance.
The White House liaison to NASA is formerly an assistant manager of a local, off-brand discount store with no background in science.
At least actual scientists are still literally in-charge at NASA, otherwise, I doubt the Artemis mission would've even happened. If they corrupt it any further, were likely to see avoidable tragedies like what the Politburo did to Komarov in 1966...
Awesome. Now do Ilhan Omar.
Speaking of whataboutisms…
@Stogie
You mean the woman who married rich and that's where all her "astonishing" net worth gains come from?
She's not my type.
His boss is stealing $1.7B from them American people. I expect no consequences for anyone in this corrupt cabal
The part you missed was Trump, his entire family, and his business organizations received immunity from any and all tax claims asserted against them by the US Government (Treasury and IRS). All of them could have fraudulent understatements of income and have zero consequences. Trump has betrayed the MAGA movement.
Jack, rather, it seems this is exactly what MAGA voted for, unironically, and about 30% of voters are still behind this crook, regardless of the blatant corruption, new wars, and worsening inflation. Simply put, that cohort voted to harm their perceived enemies (the libs, brown folks, etc.), even if it meant hurting them and everyone else. It’s a horrible choice and outcome. Most rational, sensible people are against all of this, and we need to...
Jack, rather, it seems this is exactly what MAGA voted for, unironically, and about 30% of voters are still behind this crook, regardless of the blatant corruption, new wars, and worsening inflation. Simply put, that cohort voted to harm their perceived enemies (the libs, brown folks, etc.), even if it meant hurting them and everyone else. It’s a horrible choice and outcome. Most rational, sensible people are against all of this, and we need to vote (by ballot, with our feet and our wallets) to repudiate this awful era.
I recommend we don't round up on the settlement amount, because it further discredits the settlement. The correct amount is $1.776 billion because Trump wanted to be "cute'.
Exactly, it shows that Trump and his cronies didn't use typical metrics to tabulate actual claims, they just wanted a cool-sounding number, because this farce is all just an illegal, illegitimate slush fund. We should never have been able to vote for a convicted felon who tried to overturn the last election (why J6 was not a disqualifying insurrection under the 14th... thanks McConnell... and the compromised 6-3 Supreme Court...)
The travel-related story you haven't covered is Kash Patel going on a purely personal trip with his girlfriend on a government aircraft and staying in a $50,000 PER NIGHT suite. To be fair, I hope he earned points on the hotel stay.
That’s ‘cute’ about earning points and all, but what’s not ‘cute’ is how egregious this level of graft and corruption has become, while many Americans cannot afford food, fuel, housing, healthcare, and are losing jobs to the false promise of AI. If the other party had done any of this, there’d have already been another J6.
The same J6 that is now part of the $1.776B grift just negotiated by T-rump and his new appointee?
Ray, by ‘negotiated’ do you mean with themselves, because that’s not a typical negotiation. Trump decided to take taxpayer money to use as his own personal slush fund, pay off his own army of loyalists, and pretend to bar himself and his family from future prosecution for any and all crimes… that’s tyrannical behavior. If anyone else did this, they’d be impeached, removed, and in prison.