Overview
- The Democratic National Committee published a 192‑page autopsy on May 21, 2026 and accompanied it with an apology from chair Ken Martin who said the report “does not meet my standards.”
- The draft was written by consultant Paul Rivera and was first obtained by CNN before the DNC posted it, but the committee says Rivera did not provide interview lists, transcripts, or source materials for many claims.
- Every page of the document carries a DNC disclaimer and editorial annotations that flag factual errors, missing sourcing, blank sections including no executive summary or conclusion, and instances labeled “no evidence provided.”
- Substantive claims in the autopsy blame underfunding of state parties, slipping voter registration, and an overreliance on identity‑focused messaging while urging more outreach to Middle America and the South; it also assigns partial blame to the Biden White House and the national campaign for failing to prepare or properly support Vice President Kamala Harris.
- The release has intensified internal criticism with some elected Democrats calling for Martin’s resignation even as state party leaders defend him, and the document is unlikely to serve as an immediate roadmap without substantial verification or revision ahead of November 2026.