Alex Wong / Getty Images
"The moniker 'billionaire' now has become the catchphrase," Schultz said.
- Howard Schultz, likely presidential hopeful and former Starbucks CEO, took issue with the word "billionaire" in his response to a question about the political influence of the wealthy.
- At a book event on Monday, Schultz swapped out the word for the term "people of means."
- "The moniker 'billionaire' now has become the catchphrase," he said.
Billionaire Howard Schultz isn't a fan of being called a billionaire.
On Monday, the former Starbucks CEO and chairman sat down with New York Times reporter Andrew Ross Sorkin to talk about his book "From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America."
Sorkin asked Schultz to respond to a question from "Winner Takes All" author Anand Giridharadas - who's been critical of Schultz's political ambitions - about whether or not billionaires wield too much political power in the United States.
Schultz appeared to take issue with the question's phrasing, saying, "The moniker 'billionaire' now has become the catchphrase." Schultz's team didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
"I would rephrase that and say people of means have been able to leverage their wealth and their interest in ways that are unfair," Schultz said. "And I think that speaks to the inequality, but it also directly speaks to the special interests that are paid for by people of wealth and corporations who are looking for influence and they have such unbelievable influence on the politicians who are steeped in the ideology of both parties."
Read more: Insiders reveal why Starbucks' former CEO Howard Schultz is willing to ruin his life to run for president
The likely presidential hopeful's net worth is around $3.5 billion, according to Forbes. And his comments come at a time when notable Democratic politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders are calling for higher taxes on the wealthy.
But Schultz's concern about the word "billionaire" also echoes that of yet another famous billionaire: Elon Musk.
On July 10, 2018, Musk tweeted that the media uses the term "billionaire" to "devalue" and "denigrate" people. Musk's net worth is $21.3 billion, according to Forbes.
For his part, Schultz ended his response to Giridharadas' question by stressing that he's not beholden to either major US political party.
"All I'm trying to do is one thing: Walk in the shoes of the American people," he said.
Next Story
I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
One of the world's only 5-star airlines seems to be considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery
From terrace to table: 8 Edible plants you can grow in your home
India fourth largest military spender globally in 2023: SIPRI report
New study forecasts high chance of record-breaking heat and humidity in India in the coming months
Gold plunges ₹1,450 to ₹72,200, silver prices dive by ₹2,300
Strong domestic demand supporting India's growth: Morgan Stanley
