The resentment against former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz‘s 2020 aspirations is no longer just online.
Schultz, who said he was considering a presidential bid as a “centrist independent,” was heckled during a book tour appearance in New York City on Monday.
The former Starbucks head was being interviewed by New York Times journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin, according to Bloomberg, when he was interrupted by someone.
“I am seriously considering running for president as a centrist independent,” he said, echoing his ratioed tweet from Sunday. “I wanted to clarify the word ‘independent’ which I view merely as a designation on the ballot–”
“Don’t help elect Trump you egotistical billionaire asshole!” someone shouted, as video of the incident shows.
Heckler yells at Howard Schultz: “Don’t help elect Trump, you egotistical billionaire asshole!” pic.twitter.com/Fmlj7ng7HD
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) January 29, 2019
The heckler added that Schultz should “go back to Davos with the other billionaire elite” and referenced his “centrist independent” tweet that was met with scorn.
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz heckled during book tour after teasing independent run for president.
— ABC News (@ABC) January 29, 2019
“Go back to Davos with the other billionaire elite who think they know how to run the world.” https://t.co/BgBcDunwPP pic.twitter.com/0K0cJqsEri
If the former Starbucks CEO does run in 2020 it is exceedingly unlikely that he would win the presidency. However, as the heckler obviously fears, some have speculated that his candidacy could draw votes away from a Democratic candidate who runs against President Donald Trump.
2020 Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro also said a possible run from Schultz as an independent would be Trump’s “best hope of getting re-elected” according to CNN.
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