Sean Duffy Called Out Musicians Trump's "Libtards" While His Daughter With Down Syndrome Stands On Stage Next To Him

Andrew Harnik / Getty Images News via Getty Images

By Jerome London

Updated 2 minutes ago,
July 7, 2026

Sean Duffy has nine children with Fox News anchor Rachel Campos-Duffy, including 6-year-old Valentina, who was born with Down syndrome and was on stage with him when he spoke. He refused to apologize. “I will not be taught by the same people who want to abort children with special needs.”

Sean Duffy speaks from a platform on stage surrounded by family members, and audience members waving American flags in front. — Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy addresses the crowd at the Great American State Fair rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC on June 24, 2026, flanked by family members on stage. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

The name he used ends a decades-old slur against people with intellectual disabilities. During the uproar, Duffy refused to apologize and told his critics that they were the ones with the problem.

Two women smile on a white studio couch with a little girl with Down syndrome between them on a TV set. — Valentina Duffy, daughter of Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos-Duffy, appears with her mother on Fox & Friends at the Fox News Channel Studios in New York City on World Syndrome Day, March 21, 2024. Photo by John Lamparski / Getty Images.

Sean Duffy was speechless as he warmed up the crowd at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, the multi-day America 250 event that is closest to President Trump. He was grateful to the military band that came in after many acts were canceled, saying they were “a lot better than those libtards that canceled us.”

Sean Duffy speaking at a rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC, with his family next to him on stage. — Sean Duffy addresses the crowd at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC, joined by his family on June 24, 2026. Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images.

The musicians who were teasing them have left because of the political relations of the event. Country star Martina McBride said she was told the celebration was not affiliated with all 50 states and called the presentation misleading. Bret Michaels cited growing divisiveness and safety concerns. The Commodores, Young MC, Morris Day & The Time, and Milli Vanilli also withdrew, many saying they were not informed of the political nature of the event.

A man in a blue suit is holding a little girl in a pink dress with flowers and a pink bow in her hair in an outdoor circle. — Sean Duffy holds his daughter Valentina in the crowd for the Great American State Fair opening on the National Mall on June 24, 2026, as family members look on. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images.

Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida are on the bill, and bands fill the slots on the night Duffy talks about.

“Libtard” conflates “liberal” with the scorn that has long been condemned for denigrating people with developmental disabilities. Duffy’s 6-year-old daughter, Valentina, who was born in 2019 with Down syndrome, was on stage with her.

He never went back. Asked by HuffPost about it, he said: “I’m not going to be taught by the same people who want to abort children with special needs,” adding that liberals should “spend time with these beautiful children, acknowledge their humanity, and while they’re at it, try to love their country more than they hate President Trump.”

Thanks for reading. You can find the Thought Catalog on Facebook, and learn more on our website.