Chairman Ken Martin speaks after winning the vote at the Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
About 10 people were on the call, including Hogg, other DNC officers and staff, according to Politico.
"I deeply respect you, David. I, too, was looking forward to working with you, but this has created a situation, and I’ll be very honest with you, for the first time in my 100 days on this job," Martin continued, "The other night I said to myself for the first time, ‘I don’t know if I want to do this anymore.’ And partly, not because of the stress and all the naysayers, right? I’m used to that. I spent 14 years as a chair. I’m used to getting beat up on."
"But you know, this is, this is really, everything you know from this election, this credentials report, how Malcom’s been treated in this to you know, the fact the election itself, how Shasti and Jeanna were treated in this," Martin said. "I’m just quite frustrated to be in this position because what you’ve done, whether you like it or not, or know it or not, David, I’m trying to – no one knows who the hell I am, right? I’m trying to get my sea legs underneath of me and actually develop any amount of credibility, so I can go out there and raise the money and do the job I need to to put ourselves in a position to win."
"And again, I don’t think you intended this, but you essentially destroyed any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to," Martin said. "So, it’s really frustrating."
Several party officers alleged in statements to Fox News Digital that Hogg was behind the audio leak.
"Breaking news: a human being had a frustrating day at work. That’s all Ken expressed on that call – I was there," DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta said. "For weeks, I’ve pointed out David’s causal relationship with the truth. He proves he has no relationship with integrity if he’s willing to record and leak private conversations."
DEMOCRATS' VICE CHAIR GETS ULTIMATUM: STAY NEUTRAL IN PRIMARIES OR STEP DOWN FROM PARTY LEADERSHIP
David Hogg speaks onstage during the Fast Company Innovation Festival on Sept. 17, 2024, in New York City. (Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Fast Company)
In statements to Fox News Digital, more DNC officers voiced support for Martin, as well as condemnation of Hogg.
"We have a lot of work to do as a party, and Chair Martin is doing it," DNC Associate Chair Stuart Applebaum said. "I have total confidence in his leadership. The stakes are so high right now that we can’t afford distractions like the ones that David is creating."
"Like Chair Martin said, infighting is a waste of time when Donald Trump and the Republican Congress is taking healthcare and food away from millions of Americans," DNC Vice Chair Artie Blanco said. "Ken wouldn't be here today if not for SNAP and Medicaid. That's the type of passionate leadership we should want for our party. The fact that someone would secretly record and share audio of him candidly discussing that is more a reflection of their character than the Chair's. Begs the question, what are their true intentions."
DNC Associate Chair Shasti Conrad, who was briefly mentioned on the recording, said in a statement to Fox News Digital, "During the DNC Officers call, we all were operating under the assumption that this was a confidential call amongst colleagues. Does David Hogg benefit from this? Yes. Regardless, how are we able to lead if there is no trust?"
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Fox News Digital also reached out to Hogg and Leaders We Deserve seeking comment on the recording, but they have yet to provide a response.
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dnc-chair-ripped-david-hogg-over-party-infighting-leaked-meeting-audio-really-frustrating