Transportation Secretary and former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy and his family were criticized in a recent profile highlighting their large, close-knit family. The Trump appointee and his family, who have maintained a highly public image, defended themselves on X after being attacked for their loud and proud embrace of traditional family values.
The New York Times wants readers to reduce a man’s entire life and legacy to his short stint on reality television more than 20 years ago.
Kitchener, a reporter who covers the American family for the Times, took aim at U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in her recent article where she attempts to persuade readers that the father of nine is not a credible voice on encouraging Americans to have more children and embrace large families, given his previous role on The Real World.
Drawing from previous podcast interviews and television segments, Kitchener makes the case that a large, seemingly close-knit family is completely abnormal and can only be highly manufactured.
Since his time on reality TV, Duffy has had a long and accomplished career as a Wisconsin congressman and district attorney, before being appointed U.S. transportation secretary by President Donald Trump. Duffy was also recently named interim NASA administrator by the president. (RELATED: Republican Businessman with Questionable History Enters Gubernatorial Race)
Kitchener’s attempt at painting what was commonplace and normal for much of human history—a large family—as a “macho-masculinity” display by Duffy, falls flat for normal Americans who like their family and want to spend time with them. The Duffy family wasted no time offering their response to the hit-piece, taking the opportunity to remind their audience that the Duffys share the pro-family values of everyday Americans.
Secretary Duffy, in an X post, shared a screenshot of the article entitled, The MTV Reality Star in Trump’s Cabinet Who Wants You to Have More Kids. Duffy did not mince words, calling out the author as cosplaying now as a ‘family’ expert. Much like his colleagues in the Trump Administration, Duffy offered a let’s get back to work sentiment highlighting his focus and achievements in his role as U.S. Transportation Secretary.
One of Sean and Rachel Duffy’s nine children, Evita Duffy-Alfonso, also weighed in, responding to what Kitchener described as, “using his Insta-ready family to send a message to the young, single people across the country.”
Despite the best efforts of some to tear down the family, the Duffys haven’t shied away from their past TV career, which brought together Sean and his wife, Rachel. Sean shared a highlight video on Instagram, remembering his time on MTV’s The Real World. (RELATED: IRS Allows Churches to Endorse Political Candidates)
The entire Duffy family continue to present a unity in mission and message, that has withstood the test of time and unwarranted attacks by the left.