The author of the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) internal report on the 2024 presidential election loss claims that an entire section discussing generational wealth among party operatives and questions about Joe Biden's re-election decision was cut from the version released to the public. Paul Rivera, who authored the autopsy, told the New York Times that the missing chapter, titled "What Happened in 2024," was included in the draft he personally handed to DNC Chair Ken Martin in January. The DNC has previously maintained that the report was released "in its entirety."
Missing chapter details
Rivera said the excised section included questions about Biden's decision to run for re-election and the influence of party operatives who had become "generationally wealthy off politics." The chapter did not name specific individuals but criticized a system that was "inflexible and self-enriching." Rivera told the Times, "Whether that was a conscious decision on their part to bury the section for the purposes of hiding a paragraph, I don't know. That's a them question. What I can tell you is they had it, and they made a decision not to release it."
Martin disputed Rivera's account, saying in a statement, "This alleged report section was not in any binder I reviewed." He added that if it had been included, "we would have released it with the rest of the report."
Report's original release and reaction
The report was released in May to widespread disappointment for failing to address why the party and its candidates, Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris, failed to gain traction against Donald Trump. The missing chapter, published in full by the Times, states that Democratic wins before the election led the party to "believe they were stronger than they actually were." It also noted that Biden's decision to seek re-election came despite signals that Americans were "unhappy with the status quo."
The report criticized Democrats for not doing enough to convince voters that Trump was unacceptable and for making wrong assumptions about Latino and male voters. It highlighted successful Democratic candidates in swing states who focused on economic and cost-of-living messaging rather than identity politics.
Party's financial and electoral challenges
The Democratic Party now faces the midterm elections in November and the 2028 presidential election with a significant cash deficit of $2 million, while the Republican Party reports a positive balance of over $128 million. A recent Supreme Court decision could widen this gap.
Rivera's disputed chapter also addressed issues such as the loss of support among Hispanic, Black, Asian American, and Native American voters, and the insulation of party officials and consultants from voters' concerns due to wealth. Rivera wrote, "It is therefore possible the people 'in the room' at the highest levels of 2024 decision making misunderstood the mood and practicalities facing everyday America. They missed important signals about why people were frustrated with Democrats, who seemed not to appreciate or understand their situation."
Political implications
The Times report may trigger new questions about the party's direction as Democratic primary voters in Michigan head to the polls on Tuesday to choose between moderate and progressive Senate candidates Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed. Martin said the party would have released the missing chapter if it had possessed it, emphasizing his commitment to "hold the consultant-industrial complex accountable."
Rivera said he is going public with the claim and his own 564-page review of the election loss to force change. "It's coming from a place of hope and, honestly, a little bit of desperation," he told the outlet. "I think that we need some disruption here to force change."
