POINTING FINGERS

Howard Schultz Gets Called Out as ‘Rich Guy’ in MSNBC Interview

The former Starbucks CEO suggested a “bifurcated America” stems from Republicans and Democrats not being able to work out the issues.

Howard Schultz, the former Starbucks CEO and potential 2020 Democratic contender, was called out by MSNBC host Ari Velshi on Friday after lamenting the country’s economic inequality. After Schultz began offering up his own proposed solutions to what he described as a “bifurcated economy” in which he said some families don't even have $400 in case of an emergency, Velshi cut in. “A lot of Americans knew this a long time before you really rich guys started talking about how bifurcated America is, and that's where we are today,” Velshi said. Schultz shot back, claiming that he “grew up in federal housing” and started from the bottom up as a “self-made” executive. He went on to suggest that such economic problems stem from Republicans and Democrats not getting along and a “lack of leadership,” a claim on which Velshi once again confronted him. “It's not because of the Democrats and Republicans. It's about rich people who don't pay taxes, who don't understand that it's not about charity—it's actually about wealth distribution.”

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Julia ArcigaReporter

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