Potential sponsor of Sean Duffy's controversial 'road trip' reality TV show pulled out over ethical concerns, report say

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Independent

Saturday 16 May 2026 16:45 EDT


A company that was asked to sponsor Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s new reality show did not get involved in the project amid apparent ethical concerns, according to a new report.

Duffy and his family are set to star in The Great American Road Trip, a five-part reality show that will be released on YouTube for free next month as part of celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary. The project has already drawn criticism from some nonprofit groups and Democratic politicians.

The show’s production costs were paid for by Great American Road Trip Inc., a nonprofit group run by Tori Barnes, who once worked as a lobbyist for the U.S. Travel Association. Several top corporations, including Toyota and Boeing, have also sponsored the project, according to the nonprofit’s website.

But one company declined to sponsor the project after it was approached by Barnes’ group, Politico reports. The outlet, which did not identify the company, cited an unnamed source who said there were ethical concerns about the proposal. “You’re paying for access through Tori’s group. This is a little too cute,” the source said.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/sean-duffy-road-trip-show-sponsor-b2977998.html

[Roy Rolling]

1. "Released on YouTube"

That says it all.

I have an iPhone, wife and kids. Am I a reality-TV filmmaker?

I also have a YouTube account.

Wish me luck. Or rather, “break a leg.”

[OldBaldy1701E]

4. Yes, you are.

Because, these days, that is all it takes.

(Now you see why actual actors are a 'has-been'. Why bother, when there are only about twelve actors actually working anymore. And, most of them are from Britain. But, anyone can video something, post it on Youtube, and you are a 'content creator'. You won't survive doing just that, but anyone can do it.)

[eppur_se_muova]

2. What is this, the "Part-Time Cabinet" ? Everyone spends more time off the job than on.

Trmp sets the tone for that -- he's a full-time grifter, full-time X troll, full-time bloviator, part-time POTUS.


Hey ! "Part-time Potus" & "Part-time President" have some alliteration ! Just the thing to make people remember and repeat them !

[Skittles]

3. grifting to get a long paid vacay for him, his wife, and nine kids

fucking DISGUSTING

[tanyev]

5. Oh, the U.S. Travel Association. *eye roll*

Last edited Sun May 17, 2026, 11:26 AM - Edit history (1)

On March 14, 2025 I took a screenshot of their Winter 2025 Forecast (dated Jan 9, 2025). Threats of tariffs, threats to Canada & Greenland and ICE activity were already heating up and their forecast sounded like a lot of unmitigated bullshit.

Transcription (emphasis mine):

The U.S. Travel Winter 2025 Forecast projects travel expenditure in the U.S. will continue to grow at normalized rates, driven by resilient consumer spending, sustained business investment and major event promoting international visits.

Looking ahead: For 2025, total U.S. Travel spending is prjected to grow 3.9% to $1.35 trillion, with additional growth to $1.46 trillion (inflation-adjusted) by 2028.

A mega-decade of events could drive record visitation to the U.S. The FIFA 2026 World Cup, America's 250th Anniversary, the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the Men's and Women's Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 and the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City have the potential to bring more visits than ever. U.S. Travel forecasts 8.8% growth for inbound international visits in 2025 and 8.9% growth in 2026.

Growth in international visits to the United States remains an important factor in re-establishing travel as one of our most important exports, with more than $200 billion in international spending projected for 2025.

After I took that screenshot I kept checking from time to time and that forecast remained unchanged for quite a while. They finally updated the forecast to acknowledge some reality, but they are still putting lipstick on the pig:

International Inbound Travel

International inbound travel spending fell 2.4% in 2025 to $175 billion but is expected to rebound 1.6% to $178 billion in 2026. That figure is still 18% below 2019 levels (inflation-adjusted). Growth is projected to accelerate in 2027 and beyond.

Inbound international visits declined 5.5% by volume in 2025 to 68.3 million, driven primarily by reduced visits from Canada. Inbound visits are expected to grow 3.4% to 70.6 million in 2026, driven by leisure travel and supported by major global events, including the World Cup in 2026 and Summer Olympics in 2028. A return to the level of 2019 (79 million visits) is not expected until 2029.

The recovery in 2026 is expected to be uneven across markets. Visits from Canada are projected to increase after a 21% volume decline in 2025.

The pace of international inbound travel recovery remains sensitive to policy conditions, global sentiment and geopolitical stability.

https://www.ustravel.org/research/travel-forecasts

[BradBo]

6. Who the hell can afford the gas? What a joke.

[usaf-vet]

7. Exactly! We live in a town where we can get 95% of any family's needs. The other 5% is out of reach with the price...

... of gas and car maintenance. Duffy and his wife are taking his nine kids on a nationwide trip that only the millionaires and billionaires can afford. While the rest of us do the day-to-day work to keep communities running and safe, so they and only they can afford it.

We live in a town 60 miles or less from where Duffy was raised. All the towns in this region are struggling to keep their business running. And our town has been a vacation spot, but not anymore. On a short drive around our town, you see empty parking lots at restaurants and hotels because they lack "vacationers." Additionally, you see long-running family businesses closing their doors as they have lost customers and lost value for resale or to pass on to their kids.

Duffy and his wife may return to their jobs with the 10th kid on the way.

Oh, did I mention his wife is a longtime FOX News talking head, while nannies have always cared for the kids?

By degree, I am a biologist. I value all life. I had to put off a home repair project because there was a nest of eggs and a sitting parent on the ladder steps.

As I see it, Republicans ONLY care about money and themselves. Their actions prove this point. Every day and every moment, they are in charge.

If we ALL don't get out and vote them out of power, we, ESPECIALLY YOUR KIDS AND GRAND KIDS, WILL BE THE ONES WHO SUFFER.

Stop believing their LIES. IGNORE THEIR SUGGESTION THAT NO TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT. DUFFY HAS A JOB HE WAS ELECTED TO DO! WHO IS DOING IT WHILE HE IS ON EXTENDED VACATION AND COLLECTING HIS PAY CHECK AND BENEFITS?

[Grins]

8. "Ethics" had nothing to do with that decision.!

It was self-interest all the way.

[mdbl]

9. Disgusting that the Senate confirmed this moron

Just adds to the idiocracy.