Starbuck CEO Howard Schulz appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Jan. 30. 2019. (Photo: Screen capture/MSNBC)

(CNSNews.com) - Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, now mulling an independent run for president, told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Wednesday he believes Democrat Elizabeth Warren will push the country to socialism:

"I think she believes in programs that will lead to a level of socialism in America," Schultz told the liberal TV hosts.

Warren is calling for an "Ultra-Millionaire Tax," which she said would apply to those 75,000 households with a net worth of $50 million or more. She says the tax would raise $2.75 trillion over a ten-year period.

Schultz, a billionaire, has called the plan ridiculous, and MSNBC's Willie Geist asked him about that:

"Well, if that plan was put in place, it probably could fund the government for a day or two," Schultz said. "That's not the answer. The answer is, let's take a step back from this. Let's not send out a tweet or press release that makes news. Let's get serious people around the table and solve this problem once and for all, which is comprehensive tax reform."

"Do you think Elizabeth Warren is a serious person on taxes?" Geist asked Schultz.

"I think she's a serious person, yes," Schultz said. "She came to see me a few years ago and asked me for contribution for her Senate race."

"Did you give it to her?" Geist asked.

"I did not," Schultz said. "I don't believe (in) what Elizabeth Warren stands for. I don't believe the country should be heading to socialism."

"Do you think she's a socialist?" MSNBC's Mike Barnicle asked Schultz.

"I think she believes in programs that will lead to a level of socialism in America. She's a smart woman, I respect her. This isn't personal. I just don't agree with her," Schultz said.

"We need to have that conversation another time," host Mika Brzezinski, an Elizabeth Warren fan, said as the interview concluded.

Schultz isn't the only one to criticize Warren's plan. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who also is mulling a run for president, reportedly said Warren's wealth redistribution plan may be unconstitutional.

Warren responded to both men via Twitter:

"Billionaires like Howard Schultz & Michael Bloomberg want to keep a rigged system in place that benefits only them and their buddies. And they plan to spend gobs of cash to try and buy the Presidency to keep it that way. Not on my watch."

And in a second tweet: "This is what happens when you challenge the rich and powerful. They'll fight tooth and nail against anyone who stands up to them. But we need structural change to get our economy and our democracy back on track - and no billionaire is going to get in my way of fighting for it."