Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said he does not support the policies of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) during a Wednesday interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
Schultz revealed that several years ago, Warren asked him for a contribution to her campaign for Senate, and he refused. When pressed as to why, Schultz said he did not agree with Warren's far-left stances.
"I don't believe the country should be heading to socialism," he said. "I think she believes in programs that will lead to socialism in America. She's a smart woman; I respect her. This isn't personal. I just don't agree with her."
Schultz announced earlier this week that he was considering a run for president, as a centrist independent. Earlier in the same interview on "Morning Joe," he said he believed that a candidacy like his would appeal to voters dissatisfied with President Donald Trump and those concerned with increasingly radical Democrat candidates.
"What if the possibility of an independent person can capture the imagination of the 42 percent of people who affiliate themselves as an independent, which is more than either party. And what if Republicans and Democrats–lifelong–are looking for home?" he said Wednesday. "They're not going to vote for the left-wing Elizabeth Warren or Kamala Harris, and they don't want to reelect Donald Trump."
Since announcing her exploratory committee, Warren has promoted an "ultra-millionaire tax" that would place a flat 2-percent tax on assets of individuals worth more than $50 million. It would tick up to 3 percent for fortunes worth $1 billion or more.
Harris said at a CNN town hall on Monday night that she supports abolishing private health care plans.
"Where you got to wait for approval, and the doctor says, 'Well I don't know if your insurance company is going to cover this.' Let's eliminate all of that. Let's move on," she said.
Schultz has also criticized this plan, saying on Tuesday morning, "That's not American."