Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin fumed at Vice Chairman David Hogg in a recent meeting, saying he damaged his credibility and ability to lead the party, according to leaked audio that Politico obtained.

Hogg has been a controversial figure since his election to the post, largely due to his call to challenge incumbent Democrats through his own group, Leaders We Deserve. Martin told Hogg in the meeting that he was working to get his footing in the leadership post and to prove his credibility to party leaders, but that the fallout over Hogg's primary challenges had damaged that effort.

“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,” he said. 

“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. So it’s really frustrating," Martin added.

A relative unknown, Martin secured his leadership post after the 2024 general election. Hogg's position, however, is the subject of dispute, with party activist Kalyn Free alleging the party failed to follow its own diversity rules during the election.