Jan 29, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Howard Schultz blasts progressive proposals from Harris, Warren

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. Photo: Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images

Former Starbucks CEO and potential 2020 presidential contender Howard Schultz blasted some of the Democratic Party's biggest 2020 candidates during a Tuesday media blitz, calling Sen. Kamala Harris' support for Medicare for All "not American" and Sen. Elizabeth Warren's "wealth tax" proposal "ridiculous."

The big picture: The billionaire told Axios' Mike Allen this week that he was "unfazed" by criticism from the left as he flirts with launching a "centrist independent" bid for the White House.

"I'm not considering this to win the Twitter primary. I believe that lifelong Democrats and lifelong Republicans are looking for a home, and they're not spending hours and hours on Twitter."
— Schultz

Sen. Warren (D-Mass.) fired back on Twitter:

"What's “ridiculous” is billionaires who think they can buy the presidency to keep the system rigged for themselves while opportunity slips away for everyone else. The top 0.1%, who'd pay my #UltraMillionaireTax, own about the same wealth as 90% of America. It's time for change."

Go deeper: Starbucks has a 2020 problem

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Photo: Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images

A major explosion has slammed central Beirut, Lebanon, damaging buildings as far as several miles away and injuring scores of people.

Driving the news: The cause of the explosion is unknown. Lebanon's health minister said in televised remarks that more than 50 people have been killed and over 3,000 injured.

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The debate over COVID-19 liability protections

Stimulus talks continue to move slowly, with Democrats and Republicans unable to agree on whether or not to include coronavirus-related liability protections for businesses, health facilities and schools.

Axios Re:Cap digs into the debate, which could reset the cost-benefit analysis for businesses thinking about reopening and employees thinking about returning.

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Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 18,364,694 — Total deaths: 695,848 — Total recoveries — 10,965,634 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 4,742,277 — Total deaths: 156,133 — Total recoveries: 1,513,446 — Total tests: 57,543,852 — Map.
  3. States: New York City health commissioner resigns in protest of De Blasio's coronavirus response — New York ER doctor on pandemic advice: "We know what works"
  4. Public health: 59% of Americans support nationwide 2-week stay-at-home order in NPR poll — Atrium Health CEO says "virtual hospital" has treated 13,000 COVID patients.
  5. Politics: Republicans push to expand small business loan program — Trump tells "Axios on HBO" that pandemic is "under control," despite surges in infections.
  6. Sports: Indy 500 to be held without fans — Rafael Nadal opts out of U.S. Open.
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