Donald Trump Picks Former MTV Reality Star As Interim NASA Head — Who Once Did A Striptease In A Hotel Room

The former reality show contestant was once filmed doing a racy dance on camera

 

Donald Trump has officially announced the new interim head of NASA — and it’s none other than a former MTV reality star who once did a striptease in a hotel room caught on tape.

Sean Duffy first stepped into the public eye during the late 1990s when he was cast in MTV’s The Real World: Boston. Back then, he was known more for reality TV drama than for political aspirations.

The show brought together seven strangers and placed them in the same house, letting cameras roll as they navigated daily life, drama, and relationships for several months.

In one of the show's more unforgettable moments, a then 20-something Duffy was seen dancing suggestively in front of the camera wearing nothing but a towel.

Fast forward to now, President Trump has chosen the 53-year-old for the role of interim NASA head, marking a huge leap from reality television to leading the nation’s top space agency.

In his announcement on Truth Social, Trump praised Duffy’s work and wrote: "Sean is doing a TREMENDOUS job in handling our Country's Transportation Affairs, including creating a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control systems, while at the same time rebuilding our roads and bridges, making them efficient, and beautiful, again."

 

Trump followed up with more praise, stating: "He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time. Congratulations, and thank you, Sean."

Responding to the appointment with enthusiasm, Duffy tweeted: "Honored to accept this mission. Time to take over space. Let's launch."

His time on The Real World — towel moment and all — doesn’t seem to have hurt his political rise. After leaving reality TV behind, Duffy went on to become district attorney in Ashland County, Wisconsin, in 2002. He later served as a U.S. congressman from 2010 to 2019.

Trump had already promoted Duffy to Transport Secretary earlier this year, in January. That appointment laid the foundation for his newest gig at NASA.

Duffy now steps into the role following Janet Petro, who has held the position of NASA administrator since the beginning of the year.

Back in February, the internet resurfaced the old footage of Duffy dancing in a hotel room. The video also shows fellow Real World castmate Montana McGlynn lying on the bed and playfully lifting her top during the scene.

The clip continued with Duffy dancing over to McGlynn, who then appeared to lick his nipple during the moment.

McGlynn recently came to Duffy’s defense regarding the video, telling The Daily Mail: "We were in our early 20s and going through a unique and exciting experience, so I think we were all just looking to have fun and explore what it meant to be young."

She added: "He always said he'd hold public office." and followed up with: "His brother was the mayor of his small town so we all thought his political aspirations could be a reality."

 

After The Real World, Duffy later married Rachel Campos-Duffy, a Fox News host he met while filming the spin-off Road Rules: All Stars in 1998. Together, they have nine children.

His NASA role came after Jared Isaacman — a billionaire entrepreneur and initial nominee for the job was passed over. Trump reportedly pulled back the nomination after a review of Isaacman’s past affiliations.

Trump’s criticism appeared tied to Isaacman’s personal connections. He described the astronaut as a 'blue-blooded Democrat' who had 'never contributed to a Republican before', and connected that to his relationship with Elon Musk.

The president explained that since Elon Musk is deeply involved in the space industry, it would be 'inappropriate that a very close friend of Elon, who was in the Space Business, run NASA, when NASA is such a big part of Elon's corporate life.'