Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz was heckled at a Barnes & Noble book event held in New York City on Monday night, after he mentioned that he is seriously considering running for president.
"I am seriously considering running for president as a centrist independent. And I wanted to clarify the word independent, which I view merely as a designation on the ballot," Schultz said.
"Don't help elect Trump, you egotistical, billionaire asshole!" someone in the audience yelled.
Security removed the person from the event, according to the video captured by CNN. Schultz announced earlier on Monday that he is considering a run as a sort of middle way between President Donald Trump and more radical Democrat candidates.
"I think lifelong Democrats and many, many more lifelong Republicans than Democrats realize are looking for a home," Schultz told NPR. "If there is a choice between President Trump and a progressive, liberal-minded person on the Democratic side, it would kill me to see President Trump be re-elected, and I believe that is what would take place."
Schultz was promoting his new book From the Ground Up: My Journey to Reimagine the Role of a Global Business when the heckling incident occurred.
He is not the only person in the past year to have been heckled at this particular Barnes & Noble. In July, former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was yelled at during a book launch for his memoir The Briefing, which focused on his time in the Trump administration.
"Hey Sean, you’re a real piece of garbage and I hope you look around and see all these empty seats," a man shouted during Spicer's event. "And I hope you realize even in New York City people will not come and pay to hear you speak."
The man was removed, amid audience uproar.