Howard Schultz says he's not running for president, cites indifference of 'exhausted majority'


With 20 or so Democrats still running for president and a small but hardy band of Republicans challenging President Trump for the GOP nomination, you might have forgotten that former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz was also likely running to be America's chief executive. Well, now he's not. On Friday, Schultz told supporters in a letter that he is formally dropping out of the race, explaining that it was harder than he had expected to catch fire among moderate voters and he doesn't want to risk helping re-elect Trump.
Schultz, 66, announced his intention to run for president as an independent in January, appeared on TV quite a bit, then dropped out of view, explaining later that he had undergone three back surgeries. In Friday's three-page letter, Schultz insisted that American has a "exhausted majority who want common sense, collaborative, and truthful government," but said they have "largely tuned out of political life," and so "extreme voices currently dominate the national dialogue, often with a vitriol that crowds out and discourages thoughtful discussions."
Schultz also appeared to suggest that he did not want to risk siphoning votes from former Vice President Joe Biden or another Democrat whose views overlap with his own. "If I went forward, there is a risk that my name would appear on ballots even if a moderate Democrat wins the nomination, and that is not a risk I am willing to take," he wrote. Democratic leaders, The Washington Post notes, will be relieved at Schultz's decision.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
‘How can I know these words originated in their heart and not some data center in northern Virginia?’
instant opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Can Trump deliver a farmer bailout in time?
Today's Big Question Planting decisions, food prices in the balance
-
Tips for seizing control of your digital well-being
The Week Recommends A handy mix of technology and self-motivation
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies
Speed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Trump, Putin set summit as Zelenskyy lands in DC
Speed Read Trump and Putin have agreed to meet in Budapest soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine
-
Courts deal setbacks to Trump’s Chicago operations
Speed Read President Donald Trump cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats