Donald Trump has nominated former Congressman and Fox Business host Sean Duffy to be his Transportation Secretary.
The president-elect announced late Monday he had picked Duffy, a father of nine who appeared on MTV series the ‘Real World’ in the 1990s, to take the spot currently occupied by Pete Butttigieg.
Duffy is married to fellow Fox News personality Rachel Campos-Duffy, who he met on the reality series ‘Road Rules: All Stars’ in 1998.
After leaving his reality TV career behind, Duffy then turned to politics and public service.
In 2010, he was elected to Congress to represent Wisconsin‘s seventh congressional district.
He served in the role until 2019 when he announced his retirement from Congress.
Duffy said at the time he wanted to spend more time with his children.
In 2020, Duffy joined Fox News as a contributor. He began hosting the Fox Business program ‘The Bottom Line’ later in 2023 alongside co-host Dagen McDowell.
Donald Trump has nominated former Congressman and Fox Business host Sean Duffy to be his Transportation
Duffy while appearing on MTV’s ‘Real World’
The president-elect announced late Monday he had picked Duffy, a father of nine who appeared on MTV series the Real World in the 1990s, to take the spot filled by Pete Butttigieg
But he has been absent from his anchoring post recently.
Some keen media observers have noticed leading up to the days to the announcement Duffy was not hosting his normal 6 p.m. show.
Instead a replacement anchor was filling in.
On Monday that fill-in anchor announced Duffy was selected as Transportation Secretary during the host’s Fox Business Show.
President-elect Donald Trump released a statement Monday evening stating: ‘I am pleased to announce that former Congressman Sean Duffy, from the Great State of Wisconsin, is nominated to serve as the Secretary of Transportation.’
‘Sean has been a tremendous and well-liked public servant, starting his career as a District Attorney for Ashland, Wisconsin, and later elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District.’
‘During his time in Congress, Sean was a respected voice and communicator in the Republican Conference, advocating for Fiscal Responsibility, Economic Growth, and Rural Development.’
The president-elect also highlighted some specific projects Duffy worked on to show his qualifications for the role.
Sean and his wife Rachel have had nine children since they met on the reality show in the 1990s
In a statement on Monday night, president-elect Trump praised Duffy’s political career and his ‘star’ wife Rachel
US President Donald Trump, with US Congressman Sean Duffy (L), holds a tariff table as he speaks in the Cabinet Room of the White House on January 24, 2019
‘Admired across the aisle, Sean worked with Democrats to clear extensive Legislative hurdles to build the largest road and bridge project in Minnesota History.’
‘As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, Sean played a key role in shaping and strengthening Economic policies, and ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Government programs. Sean’s leadership extended to championing the needs of families, farmers, and small businesses, especially in rural communities.’
Trump said in the announcement Duffy will be tasked with beatifying airports tunnels, bridges, highways and more.
‘He will ensure our ports and dams serve our Economy without compromising our National Security, and he will make our skies safe again by eliminating DEI for pilots and air traffic controllers.’
‘Sean will use his experience and the relationships he has built over many years in Congress to maintain and rebuild our Nation’s Infrastructure, and fulfill our Mission of ushering in The Golden Age of Travel, focusing on Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation. Importantly, he will greatly elevate the Travel Experience for all Americans!’
Sean and Rachel posing together in an old photo posted on their social media
Duffy holds a dollar bill while questioning tech executives about blockchain technology when he was a member of the House
The president-elect also noted in his announcement how Duffy’s wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, is a star in her own right.
Campos-Duffy former Fox News cohost Pete Hegseth was also recently tapped by Trump to serve in his upcoming administration.
Hegseth was nominated to be Trump’s Secretary of Defense last week.
Duffy is a known ‘lumberjack’ – and he is a three-time winner of the Lumberjack World Championship.
