Former President Donald Trump announced another controversial Cabinet pick on Monday, naming former Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), now a Fox News host, as his nominee for secretary of transportation. Duffy, a loyal Trump supporter with little experience in transportation policy, quickly drew sharp criticism from political commentators and social media users.
Duffy’s nomination follows Trump’s recent selection of Pete Hegseth, another Fox News host, as Secretary of Defense, and Thomas Homan, a former Fox contributor, as “border czar.” These choices have fueled criticism that Trump is favoring media personalities over qualified policy experts. Hegseth’s nomination, in particular, is already facing scrutiny due to past sexual assault allegations.
“He’s putting the propagandists in charge of policy,” wrote actor and activist George Takei on Bluesky. “How Russian of him.” Bloomberg Opinion columnist Tim O’Brien also weighed in, mocking the choice. “Trump adds another Fox host to his line-up of best-in-class senior advisers. Sean Duffy. This time for the Transportation Dept. Really. True. A deeply serious approach to governing.”
Trump adds another Fox host to his line-up of best-in-class senior advisers. Sean Duffy. This time for the Transportation Dept. Really. True. Deeply serious approach to governing. www.nytimes.com/live/2024/11…
— Tim O’Brien (@timobrien.bsky.social) 19 November 2024 at 04:50
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Critics also highlighted Duffy’s lack of relevant expertise. Yonah Freeberg of the Urban Institute pointed out Duffy’s limited experience in the field, noting that his career includes dismissing climate change concerns and a stint on MTV’s Road Rules: All Stars in 1998, where he met his future wife. “Trump’s announcement here; note the lack of mention of railroads or transit,” Freeberg wrote.
Biden administration strategist Chris Jackson joined the chorus of detractors, adding, “For crying out loud. Trump just tapped another Fox News personality for his cabinet. Sean Duffy, former MTV Real World cast member and current political commentator, is now up for Transportation Secretary. You literally can’t make this up.”
Trump is going to nominate Sean Duffy as DOT Secretary. His experience in the field includes meeting his future wife on the set of MTV’s “Road Rules: All Stars” in 1998. Trump's announcement here; note the lack of mention of railroads or transit.
— Yonah Freemark (@yfreemark.bsky.social) 19 November 2024 at 04:20
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Duffy has also faced backlash for past comments dismissing Trump’s sexual assault allegations as mere “engagements with women,” further polarizing his nomination. Critics see his appointment as part of a broader trend of prioritizing loyalty over qualifications in Trump’s potential second administration.
With this nomination, Trump continues to draw heavily from his allies in conservative media, a move that has intensified debate over his approach to governing. Whether Duffy’s nomination will succeed or face resistance remains to be seen, but the reaction underscores growing concerns about the politicization of federal appointments under Trump.
For crying out loud. Trump just tapped another Fox News personality for his cabinet. Sean Duffy, former MTV 'Real World' cast member and current political commentator, is now up for Transportation Secretary. You literally can’t make this up. 😑😑😑
— Chris D. Jackson (@chrisdjackson.bsky.social) 19 November 2024 at 05:02
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