Key facts
- U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's YouTube series, "The Great American Road Trip," featured corporate sponsors.
- Some sponsors, including Waymo (an Alphabet-owned self-driving car company) and the American Bus Association, are regulated by the DOT.
- Buttigieg visited Waymo's autonomous vehicles and discussed how their technology could reduce traffic fatalities.
- He also visited Texas Materials, a company that provides asphalt and concrete, and offered a plug for them.
- The DOT stated that ethics attorneys cleared Buttigieg's participation in the series and that no taxpayer dollars were spent.
- The American Bus Association confirmed its support, citing promotion of travel and access to destinations.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's YouTube series, "The Great American Road Trip," has drawn scrutiny over its corporate sponsors, some of whom are regulated by the Department of Transportation. The series, which blends Buttigieg's personal life with his job, featured visits to companies like Waymo, an Alphabet-owned self-driving car company, and Texas Materials, a construction materials provider.
In one episode, Buttigieg and his family rode a bus sponsored by the American Bus Association to a meeting with Waymo, where he discussed traffic fatalities and the potential of autonomous vehicle technology. He also visited Texas Materials, offering a public endorsement of the company's role in construction projects.
The Department of Transportation stated that ethics attorneys cleared Buttigieg's participation, emphasizing that no taxpayer dollars were used and that celebrating the nation's 250th birthday is part of his official duties. The American Bus Association confirmed its support, highlighting the initiative's promotion of travel and tourism. A gift agreement between the DOT and the nonprofit behind the series stipulated that the nonprofit would not receive favorable consideration for future federal financial assistance.
Other potential sponsors like Royal Caribbean Group were mentioned in promotional materials but did not appear in the final episodes. Toyota, Boeing, and CRH were also listed as corporate backers, though their specific contributions and involvement were not detailed.