Howard Schultz and George Soros are often searched together, but they are very different public figures. Schultz is best known for turning Starbucks into a global coffee brand. Soros is known as an investor, philanthropist, and political donor. People want to know whether the two men are friends, business partners, or political allies.
The records show one indirect link between them. Soros gave money to American Bridge 21st Century, which later filed a campaign-finance complaint about Schultz’s possible presidential run. The complaint was dismissed. This article explains what happened and what the records do and do not prove.
What Connects Howard Schultz and George Soros?
The connection is indirect. Soros donated to American Bridge 21st Century, and that same group later filed a complaint about Schultz’s possible presidential campaign. Soros did not file the complaint himself, and the records do not show that he told the group to file it. The link runs through an organization, not a personal friendship, a family tie, or a joint business deal.
How American Bridge Brought Their Names Together
American Bridge 21st Century is a political group that does opposition research to support Democratic candidates and causes. FactCheck.org reported in April 2018 that Soros was its largest donor during the 2016 election cycle. He gave $2 million. That donation came before the complaint about Schultz.
In January 2019, Schultz said he might run for president as a centrist independent in 2020. Some Democrats worried that an independent run could help Donald Trump win re-election. American Bridge then filed a complaint about Schultz’s campaign preparations. That is how the two names became connected in one political story.
What Was the Complaint Against Howard Schultz?
The complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission. It is known as MUR 7567. The complainants were American Bridge 21st Century and Bradley Beychok. George Soros was not listed as a complainant.
The complaint asked the FEC to check whether Schultz had become a candidate. If he had, he would need to register and report campaign spending. Schultz’s lawyers responded on April 12, 2019. They said he was still deciding and had not become a candidate. They also said polling and consultants can be part of exploring a run. The FEC later dismissed the complaint.
The FEC Complaint’s Main Allegations
The complaint argued that Schultz had gone beyond just thinking about a run. It pointed to political consultants, polling, and planning for paid advertising. American Bridge wanted the FEC to decide if those steps required Schultz to register as a candidate and disclose spending.
Schultz disagreed. He said he was still only exploring a possible campaign. The FEC voted 6–0 to dismiss the case. The dismissal did not find that Schultz broke campaign-finance rules.
How Did the FEC Case Involve Schultz’s Presidential Bid?
- January 2019: Schultz says he may run for president as a centrist independent in 2020. Critics say this could split votes.
- April 12, 2019: Schultz’s lawyers send a response to the FEC. They say he has not decided to become a candidate.
- September 6, 2019: Schultz announces he will not run. ABC News reports he was worried about the effects of an independent campaign.
- Later: The FEC votes 6–0 to dismiss MUR 7567 and close the file. The case ends without a finding that Schultz violated campaign-finance law.
Political donors often show up in stories like this one through the groups they fund. A similar pattern of famous names being linked indirectly appears in our article on Safra Catz and John Stankey.
Did George Soros Directly Fund or Support Howard Schultz?
| Question | What the records show | What the records do not show |
|---|---|---|
| Did Soros give money to Schultz’s campaign? | No verified evidence. | No record shows Soros funded Schultz’s campaign or exploratory effort. |
| Did Soros give money to American Bridge? | Yes. He gave $2 million in the 2016 cycle. | No evidence the money was marked for work about Schultz. |
| Did Soros file the FEC complaint? | No. American Bridge and Bradley Beychok filed it. | No evidence Soros directed or wrote the complaint. |
| Are they personal friends? | No reliable evidence. | No evidence of a close friendship or family tie. |
| Did they run a business together? | No. Schultz is tied to Starbucks; Soros to investing and philanthropy. | No verified joint business venture. |
Soros’s philanthropy is carried out mainly through the Open Society Foundations, which is separate from American Bridge and from any business tied to Schultz.
Conclusion
The main link between Howard Schultz and George Soros is indirect. Soros donated to American Bridge 21st Century. That group later filed an FEC complaint about Schultz’s possible campaign. Schultz denied becoming a candidate. The FEC dismissed the complaint 6–0. Schultz did not run for president.
The records do not show a personal friendship, a business partnership, or direct Soros action against Schultz. The accurate story keeps the donor, the complainants, and the respondent separate.
FAQs
Are Howard Schultz and George Soros friends?
No reliable evidence shows they are close friends. Their names are linked through a political group, not a personal relationship.
Did George Soros fund Howard Schultz’s presidential campaign?
No verified evidence shows that. Soros gave money to American Bridge, not to Schultz.
Who filed the FEC complaint about Schultz?
American Bridge 21st Century and Bradley Beychok filed it. Soros was not a complainant.
What did the FEC decide?
The FEC voted 6–0 to dismiss the complaint and close the case.
Did Howard Schultz run for president in 2020?
No. He explored a run in 2019 but said on September 6, 2019, that he would not run.
What is the real connection between Howard Schultz and George Soros?
Soros donated to American Bridge. That group later filed an FEC complaint involving Schultz. It is an indirect political link, not a personal or business partnership.
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