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Sean Duffy starred on MTV’s The Real World before entering conservative politics.
President-elect Donald Trump announced in late November that Sean Duffy, a former Republican congressman and Fox Business host with a long record of opposing LGBTQ+ rights, will replace Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation if confirmed. Buttigieg, the first out gay Cabinet secretary confirmed by the U.S. Senate, brought visibility and progress to the role, championing clean energy initiatives and equitable infrastructure development during his tenure under President Joe Biden.
Duffy’s nomination marks a stark reversal in tone and policy direction. A reality TV personality who first gained fame on MTV’s The Real World: Boston, Duffy transitioned into politics with a conservative platform defined by opposition to LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedoms.
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During his eight years in Congress, Duffy voted in favor of Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, opposed marriage equality, and abstained from voting on the Equality Act, which would have provided federal protections for LGBTQ+ Americans. He even introduced legislation banning fetal genetic testing for sexual orientation despite no scientific basis for such testing.
Where Buttigieg made headlines for deftly navigating contentious issues like supply chain disruptions and advocating for electric vehicles, Duffy is best known for his controversial takes on green energy and his steadfast opposition to climate-conscious transportation initiatives. As a Fox Business host, Duffy regularly criticized the push for electric vehicles, a cornerstone of Buttigieg’s efforts to modernize the nation’s infrastructure.
Buttigieg prioritized inclusivity and equity, ensuring that underserved communities were considered in transportation projects and that the country moved toward a cleaner, greener future.
Duffy’s appointment could undermine much of the progress made during Buttigieg’s tenure. For a community that has seen its rights under attack, Duffy’s nomination is more than a personnel change—it’s a sign of a darker political climate taking hold in Washington.
