California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly attacked Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy following the announcement of Duffy’s upcoming reality television series, accusing him of neglecting his official responsibilities in favour of filming a show over the past seven months.
The show, titled The Great American Road Trip, was approved by President Donald Trump and is described as a celebration of American culture and road travel to mark the country’s 250th Independence Day.
Newsom’s press office posted on X on Saturday, quoting a New York Magazine report about the show, writing that “Sean Duffy is a total disgrace.”
Duffy responded quickly on X, defending the project and stating that all production costs were covered by The Great American Road Trip Inc., a private entity, and that no taxpayer money was used to fund the show or benefit his family.
He also clarified that neither he nor any family members received salaries for their participation in the production, and that the series would be made available to the public free to watch on YouTube.
Duffy added that filming was conducted in short windows of one to two days at a time, typically using weekends and school spring break periods rather than official working hours.
The political clash comes at a moment when Duffy’s department has been under scrutiny in connection with aviation safety oversight, infrastructure spending, and the Federal Aviation Administration’s management of US airspace during a period of high-profile aviation incidents.
The feud between Newsom and Duffy reflects a broader pattern of political friction between California’s Democratic leadership and Trump administration officials, with Newsom positioning himself as one of the most vocal and visible critics of the administration’s conduct in office.
The Great American Road Trip series has not yet confirmed a premiere date beyond its association with the 2026 bicentennial celebrations, and Duffy has faced no formal calls for an investigation from Republican colleagues over the project.
Newsom’s criticism, while sharp, is likely to amplify rather than diminish the audience for the show given the national attention the exchange has drawn.
