Howard Schultz, the former Starbucks chief executive, and billionaire investor George Soros have an indirect connection through an American political organisation called American Bridge 21st Century. Soros donated money to the committee, which later filed a complaint in 2019 questioning Schultz’s activities while he was considering an independent presidential campaign.
However, the available records do not establish that the two men are close friends, relatives or business partners. Their documented link comes from their separate connections to the same political organisation.
It is also important to distinguish financial support from personal involvement. A donation to a political committee does not automatically mean that the donor directed its actions. In this case, the records name American Bridge and Bradley Beychok in connection with the complaint against Schultz. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) eventually dismissed the allegation.
Meet the Two Figures at the Centre of the Story
Howard Schultz became widely known for his role in building Starbucks into an international coffeehouse chain. The company’s historical records show that he joined the business in 1982, working as director of retail operations and marketing.
A trip to Italy the following year influenced his vision for coffee shops. He became interested in the country’s espresso-bar culture and wanted to introduce a similar experience to customers in Seattle.
Schultz later established Il Giornale, which acquired Starbucks’ assets in 1987 with financial backing from local investors. The business then took the Starbucks name. However, Starbucks had opened its first store in 1971, before Schultz joined the company. His contribution was to help shape and expand the business that followed.
Throughout his career, Schultz held the position of chief executive during several periods. Following his final spell as interim CEO, he left Starbucks’ board in September 2023 and became chairman emeritus.
George Soros: An Investor With a Philanthropic Mission
George Soros built his wealth through financial investments and later became known for supporting philanthropic causes around the world.
According to his biography published by the Open Society Foundations, Soros was born in Hungary in 1930. He studied at the London School of Economics, moved to the United States in 1956 and established his own hedge fund in 1970.
His charitable work began in 1979 when he provided scholarships to Black South Africans living under apartheid. His philanthropic activities subsequently expanded into a network that became the Open Society Foundations.
The organisation describes its mission as supporting human rights, equality and justice internationally. Although these activities form an important part of Soros’s public profile, his connection to Schultz in this particular case concerns political donations rather than their personal or professional lives.
American Bridge 21st Century: The Shared Political Connection
American Bridge 21st Century is a political committee aligned with the Democratic Party. It is known for conducting opposition research, which involves collecting information about political opponents for campaigns and public debate.
In 2016, the Center for Public Integrity identified Soros as one of the committee’s major donors in its reporting on political fundraising. Federal Election Commission records provide additional support for this connection: American Bridge’s 2017 financial report lists a contribution from Soros.
The committee later became involved in a dispute concerning Schultz’s possible presidential campaign. In 2019, American Bridge submitted a complaint asking whether his political activities meant that he was required to register as a candidate and report campaign-related finances.
These events connect the two men through the same organisation, but they do not demonstrate direct cooperation between them. The available evidence also does not establish that Soros personally instructed American Bridge to take action against Schultz.
The 2020 Presidential Election Plans That Drew Attention
On January 27, 2019, Schultz appeared on CBS’s 60 Minutes and said he was seriously considering running for president as an independent candidate. He presented himself as a centrist, meaning that his proposed political position was intended to sit between traditional party positions.
His potential campaign attracted criticism from some Democrats. They worried that an independent candidate could take votes away from the eventual Democratic nominee and potentially improve Donald Trump’s chances of winning another term.
These concerns were based on how voters might behave in a possible election. They were not proof that Schultz would have changed the final result.
Schultz eventually announced on September 6, 2019, that he would not enter the presidential race. ABC News reported that he was concerned about the potential effect of his candidacy, including the possibility of appearing on the general-election ballot if Democrats chose a moderate nominee. Health issues had also disrupted his plans.
As a result, Schultz’s presidential ambitions never developed into an actual independent campaign for the 2020 election.
Inside the 2019 Election Complaint
Why American Bridge Questioned Schultz’s Activities
The FEC recorded the complaint against Schultz on February 7, 2019, under the case reference Matter Under Review 7567. It alleged that his activities had moved beyond exploring a possible presidential run and that he should have registered as a candidate and submitted the required financial reports.
The FEC general counsel’s report discussed activities including the hiring of political consultants, opinion polling and preparations for paid advertising. These details formed part of the allegations and should not be interpreted as proof that Schultz had broken campaign finance laws.
The central issue was whether Schultz was still exploring the possibility of running for president or had reached the point where federal candidate registration rules applied.
Under US campaign finance rules, people considering a political campaign can carry out exploratory activities, such as conducting polls, making telephone calls and travelling. Whether these activities amount to an official candidacy depends on the specific circumstances.
Therefore, spending money while considering a presidential campaign does not automatically establish a violation.
What the Federal Election Commission Decided
The case reached its conclusion in November 2021. According to the FEC’s certification dated November 9, commissioners held two votes on proposed motions, with each resulting in a 3–3 tie. The commission subsequently voted unanimously, 6–0, to dismiss the allegation and close the matter.
The voting record is important because the unanimous decision to dismiss the complaint did not mean that every commissioner agreed on the legal reasoning behind the earlier proposals.
In a separate statement, three commissioners explained their view that the evidence did not show Schultz’s expenses exceeding the activities permitted while exploring a possible candidacy.
The final decision must therefore be considered alongside the original complaint. The existence of an allegation does not establish wrongdoing, and the case’s dismissal is an essential part of the documented outcome.
What the Records Tell Us About Schultz and Soros
The available evidence establishes three separate events:
- George Soros contributed money to American Bridge 21st Century.
- American Bridge filed a complaint concerning Howard Schultz’s potential presidential candidacy.
- The Federal Election Commission dismissed the allegation in 2021.
These facts establish an indirect political connection, but they do not prove that Soros personally organised the complaint or was involved in a direct dispute with Schultz.
Such claims would require additional evidence, such as authenticated communications or reliable testimony showing that Soros personally influenced the committee’s decision.
The same principle applies to claims of a business partnership. Evidence of a shared commercial venture or formal business arrangement would be needed to establish that kind of relationship. The sources reviewed for this article do not establish one.
This does not prove that Schultz and Soros have never met. It simply means that the available evidence does not confirm a personal relationship between them.
Final Verdict: Understanding the Link Without Assumptions
The connection between Howard Schultz and George Soros is best understood through American Bridge 21st Century and the events surrounding Schultz’s possible presidential campaign in 2019.
Soros provided financial support to the committee, and the committee later challenged whether Schultz’s political activities required him to register as a candidate. The Federal Election Commission eventually dismissed the complaint.
There is no established evidence in the sources reviewed here that the two men are personal friends, family members or business partners. Nor do the records demonstrate that Soros personally directed the committee’s action.
The most accurate conclusion is that their connection is indirect and political. Separating the donation, the complaint and the commission’s final decision helps explain the events clearly without presenting an unproven personal relationship as fact.