Atlanta, GA, October 3, 2025
News Summary
During the DNC’s winter meeting in Atlanta, Donna Brazile, former DNC chair, highlighted the ongoing implications of Russian interference in the 2016 election. She backed Hillary Clinton’s call for an investigation into election integrity, reflecting on the personal impact of the election aftermath, including her PTSD diagnosis and challenges within the DNC. Brazile’s bestselling book critiques Democratic leaders and emphasizes the need for election security. The DNC chair race is currently shaping up to be a contest between progressive and establishment factions, with various candidates vying for influence.
Atlanta, GA – Donna Brazile, the former chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), addressed the ongoing impact of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election during her appearance at the DNC’s winter meeting in Atlanta on February 25, 2017. Her remarks came amidst an FBI investigation into a hacking attempt against the DNC that occurred in August 2018, with the identities of the hackers still unknown.
Brazile voiced her support for Hillary Clinton’s call for probing into the election’s interference, specifically concerning the hacking of voting systems and voter registration lists. She stated her belief that an investigation would help illuminate the events, even if she was uncertain whether it would alter the election results. This reflects her urgent desire to ensure the integrity of future elections.
In a recap of her personal reflections since the election, Brazile mentioned her first conversation with Clinton post-election, highlighting that there has been no further contact thereafter. Additionally, Brazile’s book titled “Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House”, which criticizes prominent Democratic figures, quickly became a bestseller debuting at No. 6 on the New York Times list.
Brazile also candidly discussed the personal toll the election aftermath took on her, revealing that she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She elaborated on the challenges posed by the Clinton campaign’s dominion over the DNC, which complicated her role as chair. Notably, she reflected on moments where she contemplated replacing Clinton with Joe Biden as the party nominee following Clinton’s fainting incident on September 11, 2016.
She emphasized the significant effect of Russian interference on the election and expressed hope that her book would stir public outrage regarding election security issues. Furthermore, she celebrated several political milestones, including LaToya Cantrell’s election as New Orleans’s first female mayor, alongside her support for Atlanta’s mayoral candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms and gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
During her speech, Brazile addressed the ramifications of misinformation and hacking on DNC operations, noting how DNC staff had to contend with bomb threats and threats of violence following hacking incidents. Despite these challenges, she defended the DNC’s nomination system, asserting the necessity of voter participation in the primary process.
It is significant as the DNC chair race emerges as a notable contest between the progressive left and the establishment within the Democratic Party. Competing candidates such as Rep. Keith Ellison and Tom Perez are vying for influence during a pivotal moment for the party.
FAQ
What did Donna Brazile discuss at the DNC winter meeting?
Donna Brazile discussed the impact of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and supported Hillary Clinton’s call for an investigation into the election’s interference.
What is the significance of Brazile’s book?
Her book, “Hacks,” critiques several high-profile Democratic figures and focuses on the breakdowns that contributed to Donald Trump’s win, debuting at No. 6 on the New York Times bestseller list.
What challenges did Brazile face after the 2016 election?
Brazile faced significant challenges including being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and managing the control exerted by the Clinton campaign over the DNC.
How did the hacking incidents affect DNC staff?
DNC staff faced bomb threats and threats of violence in the aftermath of the hacking incidents.
Key Features of DNC’s Situation in 2017
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| FBI Investigation | Investigation into a hacking attempt on the DNC from August 2018; hacker identities unknown. |
| Brazile’s Insights | Support for investigating election interference and personal struggles revealed in her book. |
| Impact of Russian Hacking | Significant implications for election security and public outrage sought through Brazile’s narrative. |
| Political Context | Competition for DNC chair among progressive and establishment factions. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Inlander: Democratic Party Thwarts Attempted Hack
- AJC: DNC Chief Answers on 2016 Election
- NBC News: Hacked Documents on DNC Attack Plan
- Business Insider: Donna Brazile on Russian Hacking
- New York Times: DNC’s Lawsuit on Russia and Trump
- Wikipedia: 2016 United States Presidential Election
- Google Search: Russian Interference 2016 Election
- Google Scholar: Russian Interference Impact on Elections
- Encyclopedia Britannica: United States Presidential Election of 2016
- Google News: 2016 Election Interference
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