Former Starbucks CEO and independent candidate for president Howard Schultz said he does not support the tax policies of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in an interview Wednesday on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe.' Schultz said Warren "believes in programs that will lead to a level of socialism."



Schultz also revealed that when Warren sought a donation for her Senate campaign he declined because of her socialist agenda.



"I've also been criticized for being a billionaire," Schultz said Wednesday. "Let's talk about that. I'm self-made. I grew up in the project in Brooklyn, New York. I thought that was the American dream, the aspiration of America. You're going to criticize me for -- for being successful when in my company over the last 30 years, the only company in America that gave comprehensive health insurance, equity in the form of stock options, and free college tuition? And Elizabeth Warren wants to criticize me for being successful?"











"I don't believe what Elizabeth Warren stands for," Schultz said Wednesday. "I don't believe the country should be heading to socialism."



"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," he added.





WILLIE GEIST, 'MORNING JOE' CO-HOST: So Senator Warren, as you know, put out a plan --



HOWARD SCHULTZ, INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT: Yes.



GEIST: A 2-percent tax on people with $50 million or more in assets.



SCHULTZ: Yes.



GEIST: You called that plan ridiculous.



SCHULTZ: Yes.



GEIST: We show a poll earlier in the show that said the American public likes that idea a lot. And they hear someone like you with billions of dollars calling it ridiculous and say, of course, he wants to protect his own money.



SCHULTZ: No.



GEIST: What do you say to that?



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



GEIST: Do you think Elizabeth Warren's a serious person on taxes?



SCHULTZ: I think she's a serious person, yes.



MIKA BRZEZINSKI, 'MORNING JOE' CO-HOST: Yes.



SCHULTZ: She -- she came to see me a few years ago and asked me for a contribution for her Senate race?



BRZEZINSKI: Did you give it to her?



SCHULTZ: I did not.



BRZEZINSKI: OK. Wow.



MIKE BARNICLE, 'MORNING JOE' CO-HOST: Why?



SCHULTZ: I don't believe what Elizabeth Warren is -- what -- stands for. I don't -- I don't believe the country should be heading to socialism.



BARNICLE: Do you think she's a socialist?



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.

Watch the full interview: