Story perspectives

Sec. Duffy Debuts $7K Road Trip, Hatch Act Questioned

5/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary, launched “The Great American Road Trip” for 250th anniversary.
Filmed in one- to two-day windows, series was funded by nonprofit Great American Road Trip Inc., not by taxpayers.
Critics called it a vacation, while Duffy labeled detractors “radical, miserable left” and called the series wholesome.
Katherine Van Dyck warned sponsor ties could breach the Hatch Act and noted cost rose to $7,250, a 10% increase.

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Story summary

Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary, launched “The Great American Road Trip” for 250th anniversary.
Filmed in one- to two-day windows, series was funded by nonprofit Great American Road Trip Inc., not by taxpayers.
Critics called it a vacation, while Duffy labeled detractors “radical, miserable left” and called the series wholesome.
Katherine Van Dyck warned sponsor ties could breach the Hatch Act and noted cost rose to $7,250, a 10% increase.