Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) said Thursday that he didn't know outgoing Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz, indicating he was unable to comment on rumors the businessman might run as a Democrat to challenge President Donald Trump in 2020.
CNN host Chris Cuomo asked Sanders, a self described Democratic Socialist, about Schultz's criticism of far-left policies, including single-payer health care. Schultz, who also served as Starbucks CEO from 1986-2000 and again from 2008-2017, said he was concerned by Democrats who embraced such policies but were unable to say how those policies would be funded.
"Now, Bernie Sanders isn't going to like the spirit of that statement, but what do you think of the lineup of a Schultz as kind of the Left's Trump, to go up against him, businessman versus businessman?" Cuomo asked.
"Chris, I honestly do not know Mr. Schultz at all," Sanders said. "All that I can say is I think-"
"What do you think of the comment?" Cuomo asked.
"Well I think his comment is dead wrong," Sanders said. "I think you have a guy who thinks that the United States apparently should remain the only major country on Earth not to guarantee health care to all people."
Sanders went on to defend his universal health care proposal, "Medicare for all," which was a key part of his platform during the 2016 Democratic presidential primary. Sanders ultimately lost his bid for the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton.
It was reported earlier this month that Schultz would retire from Starbucks by the end of the month, and he has made comments to the media that indicate potential interest in a political future. Schultz has also been quite critic of Trump.