The DNC publishes a scathing review, accompanied by an apology from the chairman who claims the document falls below standard
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenReutersPublished: 4:16pm, 22 May 2026Bowing to pressure from within its ranks, the Democratic National Committee released on Thursday its long-withheld “autopsy” of Kamala Harris’ loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race – only to quickly disavow it.
The report found that Democrats have ceded ground to Trump’s Republicans through underfunding of state parties and a “persistent inability or unwillingness to listen to all voters”.
In particular, Democrats underperformed among male voters, non-college voters, irregular voters and rural voters, it said. The report was released less than six months before November’s midterm congressional elections.
In a statement accompanying the release, DNC Chairman Ken Martin said it “does not meet my standards, and it won’t meet your standards”, but he said it was being published to restore trust in the party.
The 192-page document includes a disclaimer at the top of each page stating that it “reflects the views of the author, not the DNC”, and notes appended throughout highlight inaccuracies as well as conclusions offered without evidence.
The report was written by Paul Rivera, a Democratic consultant, who could not immediately be reached for comment. It was completed late last year, and some Democrats were angry it was being kept secret.
