George Soros and Howard Schultz have an indirect political connection through American Bridge 21st Century. The organization has received financial support from Soros and filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against Schultz in 2019. However, publicly available records do not confirm that the two men have a personal friendship, family relationship, or business partnership.
It is important to understand the difference between donating to an organization and being directly involved in its activities. Although Soros contributed money to American Bridge, the complaint against Schultz was filed by American Bridge and Bradley Beychok, not by Soros himself. The FEC dismissed the complaint in 2021.
Who Are George Soros and Howard Schultz?
Howard Schultz’s Journey With Starbucks
Howard Schultz is best known for helping Starbucks grow into an international coffeehouse business. He joined the company in 1982 as director of retail operations and marketing. During a visit to Italy in 1983, he became interested in the country’s espresso-bar culture and saw an opportunity to bring a similar experience to American customers.
Schultz later started his own coffee business, Il Giornale. In 1987, the company acquired Starbucks’ assets with support from local investors and adopted the Starbucks name. Under Schultz’s leadership, the business expanded and became a well-known brand around the world.
However, Starbucks was already operating before Schultz joined the company. Its first store opened in 1971, more than a decade before he became involved. His main contribution was developing the business model and expanding the company’s presence.
Over the years, Schultz served as Starbucks’ CEO during several different periods. In September 2023, he left the company’s board after completing his final term as interim CEO and became chairman emeritus.
George Soros’s Background in Finance and Philanthropy
George Soros built his wealth through financial investments and later became a major figure in international philanthropy. According to his biography from the Open Society Foundations, he was born in Hungary in 1930, studied at the London School of Economics, and moved to the United States in 1956. He established his own hedge fund in 1970.
Soros began his philanthropic work in 1979 by providing scholarships to Black South Africans living under apartheid. His efforts later grew into the Open Society Foundations, a network that supports projects related to human rights, equality, justice, and democratic values.
His career in finance and philanthropy helps explain his involvement in public affairs. However, his connection to Schultz in this case concerns political donations and the activities of an organization that received his financial support.
The Role of American Bridge 21st Century
American Bridge 21st Century is a Democratic-aligned political organization that conducts opposition research. It gathers information about political opponents for use in election campaigns and public discussions.
The Center for Public Integrity identified Soros as a significant donor to American Bridge in its reporting on the organization’s fundraising in 2016. Federal Election Commission records also show a contribution from Soros in 2017, confirming that his financial support came before the dispute involving Schultz.
The connection between the two men attracted attention in 2019, when Schultz was considering an independent presidential campaign. American Bridge filed a complaint with the FEC, arguing that his activities might have triggered legal requirements to register as a candidate and disclose certain campaign expenses.
These events establish an indirect connection between Soros and Schultz through a political organization. However, they do not prove that Soros personally instructed American Bridge to file the complaint or participated in the decision. They also do not show that Soros and Schultz worked together.
Why Schultz’s Possible Presidential Campaign Attracted Attention
On January 27, 2019, Schultz appeared on CBS’s 60 Minutes and announced that he was seriously considering running for president as an independent candidate.
His possible campaign attracted attention because he was considering running outside the Democratic and Republican primary systems. Some Democratic politicians and supporters feared that an independent campaign could take votes away from their eventual nominee.
Their concern was that Schultz might divide voters who opposed President Donald Trump, potentially increasing Trump’s chances of winning another term. However, these concerns were political predictions rather than confirmed election results.
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 climate, the possibility of affecting a close general election, and health problems that had interrupted his plans.
As a result, his proposed independent campaign did not develop into a formal presidential candidacy.
Understanding the Election Complaint Against Schultz
What American Bridge Alleged
On February 7, 2019, American Bridge filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission. The case was registered as Matter Under Review 7567, also known as MUR 7567.
The complaint questioned whether Schultz had moved beyond the early stages of exploring a presidential campaign. It argued that his activities might have required him to register as a candidate and report relevant spending under federal campaign finance law.
The FEC general counsel’s report discussed activities such as hiring political consultants, conducting opinion polls, and preparing for possible advertising.
These were allegations raised in a complaint, not proof that Schultz had broken the law.
The main question was whether Schultz was still considering a presidential run or had already taken steps that legally made him a candidate.
Federal election rules allow people to explore the possibility of running for office before officially launching a campaign. This process can include conducting polls, travelling, meeting with advisers, and discussing campaign plans. Whether these activities cross the legal threshold depends on the circumstances.
For this reason, spending money while considering a presidential campaign does not automatically mean that a person has violated campaign finance law.
How the FEC Resolved the Case
On November 9, 2021, the Federal Election Commission issued a certification recording two unsuccessful 3-3 votes on proposed motions concerning the case. The commissioners later voted unanimously, 6-0, to dismiss the complaint and close the matter.
This decision is important when assessing the dispute. Although American Bridge questioned Schultz’s activities, the case ended without an FEC finding that he had violated federal campaign finance rules.
The commissioners did not necessarily share the same reasons for dismissing the complaint. Three commissioners issued a separate statement explaining that they believed the available evidence did not show that Schultz’s spending had gone beyond activities permitted while exploring a possible campaign.
This distinction matters because a unanimous vote to dismiss a complaint does not mean that every commissioner agreed on every legal question involved.
The final decision also puts the original allegations into perspective. The complaint was reviewed by the federal agency responsible for enforcing campaign finance rules, and the matter was ultimately closed.
What Does the Evidence Actually Show?
The publicly available information supports three main conclusions.
- George Soros financially supported American Bridge. Records show that he contributed to the political organization before the complaint against Schultz was filed.
- American Bridge challenged Schultz’s campaign-related activities. In 2019, the organization questioned whether he should have registered as a presidential candidate and reported his spending.
- The FEC dismissed the complaint. In November 2021, the commission voted 6-0 to close the case.
Together, these facts establish an indirect political connection between Soros and Schultz. They do not prove that Soros personally directed the complaint or participated in the organization’s decision-making.
The records discussed here also do not establish a business partnership between the two men. Such a claim would require evidence of a shared company, commercial agreement, or another formal business arrangement.
Similarly, the available information does not confirm a personal friendship between them. This does not prove that they have never met or spoken. It means only that the sources considered here do not establish such a relationship.
Final Verdict
George Soros and Howard Schultz are connected through political fundraising and the activities of American Bridge 21st Century. Soros donated to the organization, which later filed an election complaint against Schultz while he was considering an independent presidential campaign.
The FEC dismissed the complaint in 2021, and the case did not result in a finding that Schultz had violated federal campaign finance law.
The most accurate description of their connection is an indirect political link through an organization that received financial support from Soros. The available records do not establish a direct personal relationship, a business partnership, or Soros’s personal involvement in filing the complaint.
By separating the donation, the complaint, and the FEC’s final decision, readers can understand the events without drawing conclusions that the available evidence does not support.
