Former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy has been named by President-elect Donald Trump as his nominee for transportation secretary, marking another high-profile appointment of a Fox-affiliated television figure to Trump’s Cabinet.
Duffy, a former reality TV star and vocal supporter of Trump, brings nearly a decade of congressional experience and a background in financial services to the Department of Transportation (DOT).
“Sean Duffy will maintain and rebuild our nation’s infrastructure, ushering in a new era of safety, efficiency and innovation,” Trump said in his announcement.
The DOT’s purview includes highways, pipelines, railroads and the airline industry, alongside regulation of emerging technologies such as autonomous and electric cars. Duffy’s leadership comes at a critical juncture, as traffic deaths remain near record highs and advancements in driverless technologies and EVs pose new regulatory challenges.
Duffy’s path to the nomination reflects his diverse career trajectory. A former lumberjack athlete and MTV reality show participant, Duffy transitioned into law and politics, serving as Ashland County district attorney before winning a congressional seat during the Tea Party wave in 2010. His campaign ads, often featuring him wielding an axe, highlighted his blue-collar roots and family heritage.
Duffy resigned from Congress in 2019, citing his family’s needs, including caring for his youngest child with a heart condition. In recent years, he has co-hosted Fox Business’s “The Bottom Line” alongside his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a Fox News personality.
The DOT faces mounting pressure to address pressing issues, including the regulation of autonomous vehicles, challenges surrounding EV safety, and a national shortage of air traffic controllers. Trump has been critical of EVs, often opposing policies that promote their adoption. Industry insiders anticipate Duffy’s leadership may signal a slowing of the transition to electric cars and the potential elimination of tax credits for EV purchases.
