Former reality TV star Sean Duffy confirmed as transportation secretary
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- The former Wisconsin congressman received widespread approval in the Senate
Donald Trump's selection to lead the transportation department, former Fox News personality and MTV 'Real World' star Sean Duffy, has been confirmed by the Senate.
The father of nine is married to Fox host Rachel Campos-Duffy, who he met while filming the reality series 'Road Rules: All Stars' in 1998.
'Roadway safety hits close to home for me because my wife survived a deadly head-on car crash which has profoundly reshaped her life,' Duffy revealed during his confirmation hearing.
A former Republican Wisconsin congressman, Duffy, 53, received bipartisan support in the Senate, which voted unanimously to push his nomination through before voting in his favor 77 - 22.
Wisconsin Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who introduced Duffy at his confirmation hearing, gave the Trump pick glowing reviews, saying he is 'the right person for this job.'
'Sean has been a tremendous and well-liked public servant,' Trump lauded the former Fox host when announcing his nomination.
The president has noted Duffy's experience representing the interests of rural residents and his economic and legal expertise.
Duffy will replace Pete Buttigieg as secretary of the Department of Transportation.
Sean Duffy, Donald Trump's nominee to be transportation secretary, testifies during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 15, 2025. He was fully confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday
Sean and his wife Rachel have had nine children since they met on the reality show in the 1990s
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 Buttigieg
His appointment to the role comes at a busy time for the department.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently dealt with the fallout from Hurricane Helene and Milton.
The agency has been tasked with rebuilding downed bridges, roads and other critical transportation infrastructure in North Carolina and Georgia where the storms took out entire communities.
DOT is also now dealing with the total destruction of California communities impacted by deadly wildfires.
Having served five terms in the House before later lobbying, Duffy knows his way around Washington and can be expected to rely on his old connects from Congress to help him smoothly transition into leadership in Trump's Cabinet.
Duffy first gained prominence after appearing on MTV's 'The Real World: Boston,' the sixth season of the network's popular series.
He also appeared on 'Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Battle of the Seasons' in 2002.
Sean and Rachel posing together in an old photo posted on their social media
Sean Duffy, President Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Transportation attends the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol
Duffy while appearing on MTV's 'Real World'
He is the second Fox News star to be placed in a Cabinet position after former host Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate over the weekend.
Hegseth and Campos-Duffy both cohosted the same weekend morning show before the Cabinet pick left the network.
Duffy is also a known 'lumberjack' - and he is a three-time winner of the Lumberjack World Championship.
