Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin reportedly threw his phone at an aide's desk earlier this month amid significant financial pressure on the committee. The incident prompted a complaint to human resources, according to The New York Times.
The outburst occurred as the DNC secured a $15 million loan, its largest off-year borrowing to date, using its Washington D.C. headquarters and other assets as collateral. A DNC official noted that the committee has used its building as collateral for previous lines of credit in multiple past years, including 2019, 2018, and 2014.
Federal Election Commission records indicate the DNC had $16.3 million cash on hand at the end of June, while its debts and loans totaled $18.5 million. In contrast, the Republican National Committee concluded June with $128.5 million in cash and no debt.
Martin acknowledged the committee's financial situation in a recent Substack post, stating that the current DNC has raised more money than any previous DNC without the White House in the party's history. He reported that through June, $154.8 million had been raised, compared to $95.2 million in the comparable 18-month period of 2017-2018.
Amidst its financial challenges, the DNC has reportedly asked vendors to defer billing until after the midterm cycle concludes. DNC Executive Director Roger Lau described these as standard negotiations over contracts and payment processes.
Martin's tenure as DNC chairman has been marked by several controversies since his election in February 2025. These include issues surrounding former DNC Vice Chairman David Hogg's involvement in primary contests and backlash over the release of the DNC's autopsy of the 2024 election, which faced criticism for errors and incompleteness. Martin has reportedly expressed frustration over leaks from the organization.
Martin's current term as DNC chairman is scheduled to end in 2029.