Sean Duffy Spills on Plane Crashes, "Racist" Roads, Moon Bases & Epic Musk Clash
In the August 13, 2025 episode of Pod Force One, hosted by New York Post columnist Miranda Devine, listeners are treated to an in-depth conversation with Sean Duffy, the newly appointed Secretary of Transportation. Filmed at the Department of Transportation's Central Command hub, the episode delves into Duffy's immediate challenges, his vision for America's transit infrastructure, interactions with influential figures like Elon Musk, and his personal journey from politics to public service.
Immediate Challenges: East Palestine Tragedy and DCA Crash
Handling the East Palestine Disaster
Duffy opens the discussion by addressing the recent plane crash in East Palestine, Ohio, criticizing the previous administration's delayed response. He contrasts the inaction of his predecessor, Pete Buttigieg, and President Biden with former President Donald Trump's swift aid to the affected community.
“We were the first TV show to cover it and the lack of response” [01:25]
He emphasizes the mission to learn from this tragedy to prevent future occurrences:
“Our mission is now to learn from what happened in East Palestine and make rules and policy so that we don't have another East Palestine” [01:25]
The DCA Crash: A Baptism of Fire
Duffy recounts his first days as Transport Secretary, which were immediately overshadowed by the DCA crash involving a military helicopter. He explains the systemic failures that led to the collision, highlighting the 85 near misses in the airspace over the three years preceding the crash.
“There were 85 near misses in this airspace in the three years before this crash. So someone should have seen it” [03:44]
In response, Duffy outlines the department's swift actions to overhaul air traffic control (ATC) systems, including closing and restricting airspace around Washington D.C., implementing AI-driven reviews to identify and address hotspots, and securing substantial funding for modernization efforts.
“It's going to cost us $31.5 billion to do it all” [04:44]
Modernizing Air Traffic Control: Infrastructure and Technology Upgrades
Outdated Systems and Immediate Fixes
Duffy delves into the technical inadequacies of the current ATC infrastructure, pointing out the reliance on copper wires and outdated radar systems from the 1960s and 1970s.
“We have radar from the, from the, the, somewhere in the 60s, a lot of in the 70s, a couple from the 80s, really old radar” [05:56]
He discusses the immediate steps taken to address these issues, such as laying new fiber optic lines in partnership with Verizon, which significantly improved communication reliability.
“We partnered with Verizon and they laid a brand new fiber line for us” [07:40]
Future-Proofing Airspace with Advanced Technology
Looking ahead, Duffy outlines plans to develop a common automation platform to handle the increasing complexities of modern airspace, including the integration of drones and passenger drones known as evitals. He likens the new system to an ever-evolving smartphone, adaptable to technological advancements.
“The system we're going to build is going to allow us to control that airspace” [09:03]
Interacting with Elon Musk: Protecting Air Traffic Controllers
Clash Over Workforce Cuts
A significant portion of the episode centers on Duffy’s interactions with Elon Musk, particularly regarding Musk's Dogecoin (DOGE) movement and its implications for air traffic controllers. Duffy firmly defends the retention of air traffic controllers, opposing any attempts to cut these critical positions.
“We are not going to fire air traffic controllers” [15:03]
He criticizes former policies that prioritized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) over operational efficiency, ultimately removing such requirements to streamline grant allocations and focus on safety.
“These are the dumb things that they did” [17:24]
Revamping Recruitment and Retention
Addressing the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers, Duffy details strategies to attract and retain talent through bonuses and expedited training programs. By lowering the washout rate and incentivizing longevity, the DOT aims to fill the 3,000-controller gap.
“We're well on our way to fill in the gaps in air traffic control” [21:38]
Personal Journey: From Congress to Secretary of Transportation
Resigning for Family
Duffy shares the poignant story of resigning from his congressional seat to support his family after his wife, Rachel Campbell Duffy, was diagnosed with carrying a child with Down syndrome. Balancing a large family of nine children with public service, he underscores the personal sacrifices made for familial responsibilities.
“I cried like a baby” [32:35]
Balancing a Large Family with Public Service
Managing an extensive family while holding a demanding role, Duffy discusses the logistics of travel, family dynamics, and the support system that enables him to fulfill his duties without compromising his family life.
“We’re 11 total. Then add a couple spouses in there with 13” [55:11]
He highlights the importance of social intelligence, honed from growing up as the 10th of 11 children, which aids in navigating both family life and high-pressure political environments.
“I think social intelligence has been helpful” [50:18]
Expanding Responsibilities: Managing NASA and the Artemis Program
Revitalizing NASA
In addition to his role at the DOT, Duffy touches upon his temporary stewardship of NASA, focusing on the Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon and establishing a permanent base there. He underscores the strategic importance of space exploration for national security and technological advancement.
“We are going to set up a base there, keep people on the moon” [56:31]
Collaborating with Commercial Space Companies
Duffy advocates for increased collaboration with commercial space entities like SpaceX and Blue Origin to drive innovation and cost-effectiveness in space missions, drawing parallels to how Elon Musk revolutionized space travel with SpaceX.
“They’re doing things way more cost effectively and efficiently than NASA would” [58:03]
Leadership and Success: Duffy’s Philosophy
Embracing Failure and Resilience
Concluding the episode, Duffy shares his insights on leadership and success, emphasizing the importance of resilience, embracing failure, and pursuing passions. He encourages setting ambitious goals and learning from setbacks to achieve meaningful success.
“If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough... you can't be afraid to fail” [61:04]
Personal Growth and Adaptability
Drawing from his diverse experiences as a prosecutor, Congressman, and now Secretary, Duffy highlights the value of adaptability and continuous learning, advocating for a dynamic approach to both personal and professional growth.
“Finding a space that can make you happy, can satisfy you and gives you joy in your work is more important than the money you make off it” [62:02]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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East Palestine Tragedy:
“We were the first TV show to cover it and the lack of response” [01:25]
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DCA Crash and Airspace Safety:
“There were 85 near misses in this airspace in the three years before this crash. So someone should have seen it” [03:44]
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Leadership and Decision-Making:
“He makes decisions. He doesn't wallow and think and he gets an impression. He gets a gut reaction and he makes the decision” [30:32]
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Philosophy on Success:
“If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough... you can't be afraid to fail” [61:04]
Conclusion
Secretary Sean Duffy's conversation on Pod Force One offers a comprehensive look into the intricate challenges of modernizing America's transportation infrastructure. From addressing immediate aviation crises to overhauling outdated air traffic systems and expanding into space exploration, Duffy provides listeners with both strategic insights and personal anecdotes. His emphasis on resilience, adaptability, and the importance of balancing public service with familial responsibilities paints a vivid picture of the dedication required to lead effectively in today's complex political and technological landscape.
This detailed summary encapsulates the key points and insights from the episode, providing a thorough overview for those who haven't listened while maintaining the engaging and informative essence of the original conversation.