Billionaire and former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz says he is thinking of running for president – not as a Democrat but as a "centrist independent" – and it seems the only ones truly excited about the news are President Donald Trump and Howard Schultz.
Trump on Monday egged Schultz on – taunting him as Trump is prone to do – saying he doesn't have the "guts" or smarts to run.
A Schultz third-party run would absolutely siphon off votes from the Democratic nominee, making very likely a Trump re-election win.
Schultz, a lifelong Democrat, on CBS' "60 Minutes" appeared to not care about that likelihood.
Former Starbucks chairman and CEO @HowardSchultz says he's seriously considering a 2020 presidential run as an inde… https://t.co/IpLUIh3Sye— CBS This Morning (@CBS This Morning) 1548680953.0
He also said the primary reason he would run is to reduce the deficit.
Meanwhile, many on social media are blasting the once-popular coffee purveyor who spent decades turning Starbucks into a household name.
Former SDNY US Attorney:
I think @HowardSchultz should totally run for city council in whatever city he lives— Preet Bharara (@Preet Bharara) 1548649797.0
Progressive activist:
Howard Schultz is doing a book event in NYC tonight in case folks want to drop in and tell him not to run https://t.co/XPHAs7jZPM— jordan (@jordan) 1548686318.0
Journalist:
The worst part about Howard Schultz's announcement is that he did it on a day when Kamala Harris drew a huge crowd… https://t.co/Du1DRom0c5— Jennifer Hayden (@Jennifer Hayden) 1548681671.0
Law professor:
I can't wait until Howard Schultz winds up in Chicago, so I can thank him for his coffee's usefulness and tell him… https://t.co/rf56yOb2Zj— Anthony Michael Kreis (@Anthony Michael Kreis) 1548686461.0
Chairman of the nation's largest grassroots Resistance organization:
@HowardSchultz For the sake of our nation and future generations, @HowardSchultz, please set aside your ego and DO NOT RUN.— Jon Cooper 🇺🇸 (@Jon Cooper 🇺🇸) 1548683270.0
Journalist, chairwoman:
Not since George Washington has a non-major party candidate won the election. Many predict your candidacy would dra… https://t.co/OmfKt4NQCJ— Soledad O'Brien (@Soledad O'Brien) 1548634411.0
Writer and scholar:
@HowardSchultz No one wants you. The only thing you will unite this country in is a mass boycott of Starbucks.— Sarah Kendzior (@Sarah Kendzior) 1548650840.0
Law analyst:
I love our country too, for which precise reason I'm not considering running for president. Patriotism should put l… https://t.co/sCY6KgGI2M— Benjamin Wittes (@Benjamin Wittes) 1548639126.0
More:
One problem is the belief that the best way to improve the country is if I'm put in charge of governing it. Not a p… https://t.co/u0WyHaS8vI— Taniel (@Taniel) 1548634627.0
As I was saying, @howardSchultz, running as independent will: 1) infuriate 30 million democrats who who immediatel… https://t.co/EYZ1pU5xWy— Shoq (@Shoq) 1548677595.0
Dear @HowardSchultz. Do you know how much of your coffee we've bought lo these many, MANY years? This is how you re… https://t.co/ard8Unpx72— Carissa in NV, BA 💛 (@Carissa in NV, BA 💛) 1548687575.0
Sorry @HowardSchultz, but the ‘privileged billionaire white guy “outsider” who really cares about the little peop… https://t.co/tBSmGqkOvK— Amy Roark (@Amy Roark) 1548684861.0
@HowardSchultz You are in this to hurt the Democratic nominee. There is no other reason for you to do what you are… https://t.co/JOPeYntzRp— coca 💙 Mask up and Social distance 😷 (@coca 💙 Mask up and Social distance 😷) 1548685061.0
There aren't many paths to Trump winning re-election in 2020. Democrats running an extreme candidate who can't app… https://t.co/F763haCNXF— Yascha Mounk (@Yascha Mounk) 1548634740.0
Early voting. #HowardSchultz https://t.co/0X7ieyjx9Y— Jim Kessler (@Jim Kessler) 1548681859.0
I love our country, and I am seriously AGAINST another bloated ego billionaire running for President. DON'T DO IT,… https://t.co/xLcDWugpew— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!) 1548685909.0
