A new reality show featuring a high-profile U.S. government official has sparked controversy, with one company reportedly declining to sponsor the project due to ethical concerns. The show, titled The Great American Road Trip, is set to be released on YouTube next month as part of the celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his family will star in the five-part series, which has already faced criticism from various groups.
The production costs of the show are being covered by Great American Road Trip Inc., a nonprofit organisation led by Tori Barnes, who previously worked as a lobbyist for the U.S. Travel Association. Several major corporations, including Toyota and Boeing, have also provided financial support for the project, according to the organisation's website.
However, one company refused to get involved after being approached by Barnes’ group, as reported by Politico. The outlet did not name the company but cited an unnamed source who raised ethical concerns about the proposal. The source said: “You’re paying for access through Tori’s group. This is a little too cute.”
Barnes responded to the allegations by stating that the source was lying. She told The Independent: “The source is anonymous because it’s a lie.” She added that the Secretary met with numerous individuals during the road trip, including port directors, small business owners, transportation experts, and other leaders. None of these individuals were paid partners of the project, she claimed.
The Transportation Department confirmed that the show’s production costs were entirely funded by Barnes’ nonprofit organisation. A spokesperson for the department stated: “The Secretary’s participation in the Great American Roadtrip was approved by USDOT career ethic attorneys. No taxpayer dollars were used for production costs nor did the family receive any compensation for their participation.”
The spokesperson further explained that celebrating America’s 250th anniversary is part of the Secretary’s official duties. They added that the series will showcase America’s roads, landmarks, infrastructure, and people.
The project has attracted scrutiny, particularly from nonprofit organisations like Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which has asked the Transportation Department’s inspector general to investigate whether Duffy violated federal gift and travel rules.
Duffy has responded to the criticism by attacking what he calls the “radical, miserable left,” claiming that critics are trying to undermine the project. He wrote on X: “They’re upset because they don’t want you to celebrate America! And they definitely don’t want you to teach your kids civics & patriotism. So they tell lies to undermine the mission.”
According to Barnes, the project is driven by three main goals:
- To celebrate America’s 250th birthday
- To promote travel and tourism
- To highlight the transportation, infrastructure, and ingenuity that built America over the past 250 years and will shape its future
She said the organisation is supported by partners who share these goals and believe in encouraging Americans to rediscover the people, places, and experiences that define the country.
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