Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy did some heavy lifting (literally) to make air travel better, announcing a billion dollars from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to make travel family-friendly again, before he put his money where his mouth is and took on the MAHA pull-up challenge.
During a press conference on Monday at Reagan Washington National Airport in D.C., Duffy said that the Trump administration was going to make airports a healthier place that's friendly for families with such things as mini gyms, play areas, and nursing pods, among others.
.@SecDuffy: “I’m announcing at DOT that we have $1 billion in funding for grant programs to make the experience better in airports.” pic.twitter.com/5Ef4PB1Cc0
— USDOT Rapid Response (@USDOTRapid) December 8, 2025
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"I'm announcing at DOT that we have $1 billion in funding for grant programs to make the experience better in airports," Duffy told the press.
Later in a post on X, the Transportation Secretary broke down what some of that grant money could go to improve airport experiences for travelers.
Here is what we are announcing today at @USDOT to make traveling better for YOU:
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) December 8, 2025
$1 BILLION is now available for airports to become more FAMILY FRIENDLY!
From exercise areas and play areas, to healthy food options and reading stations, we’re Making Travel Family Friendly Again!… https://t.co/JqFSwMwELd
"Here is what we are announcing today at @USDOT to make traveling better for YOU: $1 BILLION is now available for airports to become more FAMILY FRIENDLY!" Duffy wrote.
"From exercise areas and play areas, to healthy food options and reading stations, we're making travel family-friendly again," he added.
For eagle-eyed viewers of the presser, you might've noticed a pull-up bar behind Duffy, who was joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who also talked about ways to have more healthy food options available at airports.
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The two members of President Donald Trump's cabinet then took turns doing pull-ups on that bar to promote the idea of exercising at what could be airport gyms before boarding a plane.
Hilariously, Duffy couched his performance by saying that RFK Jr., over at HHS, does pull-ups all the time, and at the DOT, they don't have time.
Check it out!
Pull-up competition between Secretaries Kennedy and Duffy. pic.twitter.com/V2QpqDgvLo
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 8, 2025
Duffy recently made headlines when he called on travelers to skip the pajamas and dress nicer, to make the traveling experience better for all.
"This is not about mandates. This is not requirements. This is a conversation about could we offer healthier options?" he added when asked about it on Monday. "How do we make the experience, as we all travel together, just a little bit better? That's the conversation we're having. But I'm not cramming this down anyone's throat.... I'm not fining anyone if they wear their pajamas on the airplane."
During the Schumer Shutdown, Duffy truly took on the Herculean task of keeping things running amid the antiquated traffic control system and the shortage of air traffic controllers that led to cancellations and delays.
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