George Soros and Howard Schultz are connected through American Bridge 21st Century, a Democratic-aligned political organization that received donations from Soros and filed a federal election complaint against Schultz in 2019. However, the available public records do not establish that the two men have a personal friendship, family connection, or business partnership.
It is important to understand the difference between supporting an organization financially and being directly involved in its decisions. Although Soros donated to American Bridge, the records identify the organization and Bradley Beychok as the complainants against Schultz, not Soros personally. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) eventually dismissed the complaint in 2021.
Who Are Howard Schultz and George Soros?
Howard Schultz Built His Career Around Starbucks
Howard Schultz is best known for helping turn Starbucks into one of the world’s leading coffeehouse brands. He joined the company in 1982 as director of retail operations and marketing. A trip to Italy in 1983 introduced him to the country’s espresso-bar culture and inspired his vision for bringing a similar coffee experience to the United States.
Schultz later founded Il Giornale, a coffee company that acquired Starbucks’ assets in 1987 with support from local investors. The business then adopted the Starbucks name and continued to grow under his leadership.
One important detail about the company’s history is that Starbucks opened its first store in 1971, before Schultz joined the business. His major contribution was expanding the company and shaping it into the global brand it became.
Schultz served as Starbucks’ chief executive during several periods. He stepped down from the company’s board in September 2023 after completing his final term as interim CEO and became chairman emeritus.
George Soros Is Known for Finance and Philanthropy
George Soros built his wealth through investing and later became widely known for his philanthropic work. According to his official biography from the Open Society Foundations, he was born in Hungary in 1930, studied at the London School of Economics, moved to the United States in 1956, and established his own hedge fund in 1970.
His philanthropic activities began in 1979, when he funded scholarships for Black South Africans living under apartheid. He later developed the network that became the Open Society Foundations, which supports work related to human rights, equality, justice, and democratic institutions around the world.
Soros’ financial and philanthropic background helps explain his wider public profile. However, the connection between him and Schultz discussed here relates specifically to political donations and the activities of an organization supported by Soros.
How American Bridge Connects George Soros and Howard Schultz
American Bridge 21st Century is a Democratic-aligned political organization known for opposition research. This work involves gathering information about political opponents that may be used during election campaigns and public debate.
In 2016, the Center for Public Integrity highlighted Soros as one of the major donors supporting American Bridge. Federal Election Commission records also document a contribution from Soros in 2017, showing that his financial support for the organization began before its dispute with Schultz.
The connection became more visible in 2019, when Schultz considered running for president as an independent candidate. American Bridge filed a complaint with the FEC questioning whether his activities required him to register as a candidate and report his campaign-related spending.
These events establish an indirect political connection between the two men. Soros supported an organization that later challenged Schultz’s activities. However, the available records do not establish that Soros personally directed the complaint, participated in the decision to file it, or worked directly with Schultz.
Why Howard Schultz’s Potential Presidential Campaign Caused Concern
On January 27, 2019, Schultz announced on CBS’s 60 Minutes that he was seriously considering running for president as a centrist independent.
An independent campaign would have allowed him to compete outside the Democratic and Republican primary systems. However, the possibility raised concerns among some Democrats, who feared that Schultz could attract voters who might otherwise support the eventual Democratic nominee.
Some political observers believed his candidacy could divide the opposition to President Donald Trump and improve Trump’s chances of winning re-election. These concerns reflected a possible political outcome, not proof of what would have happened if Schultz had entered the race.
On September 6, 2019, Schultz announced that he would not run for president. ABC News reported that his decision was influenced by concerns about the political environment, the possibility of a contested general election, and health issues that had disrupted his plans.
As a result, the proposed independent campaign never became a formal presidential bid.
What Did the Election Complaint Against Schultz Allege?
The Dispute Focused on Campaign Finance Rules
American Bridge filed its complaint on February 7, 2019. The FEC recorded the matter as Matter Under Review 7567, or MUR 7567.
The complaint alleged that Schultz’s activities had gone beyond exploring a possible presidential run. According to the allegations, he should have registered as a candidate and reported his campaign-related spending under federal election law.
The activities discussed in the FEC general counsel’s report included hiring political consultants, conducting polls, and preparing for possible paid advertising.
These were allegations of potential violations of federal campaign finance rules. They were not established findings of wrongdoing.
The central issue was whether Schultz’s actions still qualified as preliminary research or had progressed far enough to make him a presidential candidate under the law.
Candidates can take certain steps to explore a possible campaign before formally entering a race. These activities, sometimes described as testing the waters, may include polling, travel, and discussions with political advisers. Whether a person has moved beyond this stage depends on the specific circumstances.
Therefore, the fact that Schultz spent money exploring a presidential campaign did not automatically establish that he had violated election law.
The Federal Election Commission Dismissed the Complaint in 2021
The FEC’s November 9, 2021, certification records two unsuccessful 3-3 votes on motions proposing different approaches to the case. The commissioners subsequently voted 6-0 to dismiss the complaint and close the matter.
This outcome is an important part of the story because it shows how the complaint ended. The allegations against Schultz did not result in an FEC finding of a campaign finance violation.
The commissioners’ views on the reasons for dismissal were not entirely identical. Three commissioners also issued a separate statement explaining that, in their view, the available record did not show that Schultz’s spending had gone beyond permitted exploratory activities.
The distinction matters because a unanimous decision to dismiss a complaint does not necessarily mean every commissioner agreed on the legal reasoning behind that decision.
For readers trying to understand the relationship between Soros and Schultz, the final FEC decision provides essential context. The complaint was filed, reviewed, and ultimately dismissed.
What Can We Conclude About George Soros and Howard Schultz?
The available records support three main points:
- Soros donated to American Bridge 21st Century. Public records document his financial support for the political organization.
- American Bridge filed a complaint against Schultz. The organization challenged whether his potential presidential campaign activities required formal registration and financial reporting.
- The FEC dismissed the complaint in 2021. The case did not result in a finding that Schultz had violated federal campaign finance law.
These facts establish an indirect connection through political fundraising and an election-related dispute. They do not, on their own, establish that Soros personally targeted Schultz or instructed American Bridge to file the complaint.
Similarly, describing the two men as business partners would require evidence of a shared commercial venture or another formal business arrangement. The records considered here do not establish such a relationship.
This does not prove that Soros and Schultz have never met or communicated. It simply means that the available evidence does not establish a personal or business relationship between them.
Final Thoughts
The relationship between George Soros and Howard Schultz is best understood through American Bridge 21st Century and the political events surrounding Schultz’s potential 2020 presidential campaign.
Soros provided financial support to the organization, and American Bridge later filed a complaint questioning Schultz’s compliance with federal campaign finance rules. The FEC ultimately dismissed that complaint in 2021.
Keeping these facts separate helps avoid misleading conclusions. Financial support for a political organization does not automatically make a donor responsible for every action it takes. Based on the public records discussed here, the documented connection between Soros and Schultz is political and indirect, rather than an established personal friendship or business partnership.
