The statement is a reported quote about what 'many at the time' said regarding a merger, but it lacks specific context about which merger is being referenced. Without knowing the specific merger, the timeframe, or the actual statements made by others at that time, it is impossible to verify whether 'many' actually said it was a disaster or that it should have been allowed.

Sean Duffy has never served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and there is no verifiable record of him making the quoted statement about a merger on the given date.

No record or reputable source confirms that Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy made this statement about a merger; the claim appears to be a misattributed or fabricated quote.