Lorraine Ali: Could Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's new travel show be making travel less safe?

A Netflix documentary, “Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing,” is being linked—indirectly—to a new travel reality show featuring U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The series “Great American Road Trip,” released in August and produced with corporate sponsors overseen by the Department of Transportation, celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary while Duffy travels with his family. Lawmakers, including Sen. Patty Murray, questioned whether sponsors sought preferential access or regulatory influence, and Duffy denied wrongdoing. Watchdog groups filed complaints with the DOT inspector general about potential violations of federal gift and travel rules, endorsements, and misuse of his position. The Boeing film cites manufacturing blunders tied to 346 deaths across 2018–2019 737 Max crashes, plus later accidents.