Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz hires PR team as he plans to run for president, report says

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is building a team of public relations experts as he plans to run for president in 2020, according to reports.

Schultz, who resigned from his position as executive chairman of Starbucks in June, strongly criticized President Donald Trump.

According to CNBC, Steve Schmidt is one of the key members of the Schultz team. He worked as senior strategist for John McCain's campaign during the presidential run of the Republican Senator of Arizona in 2008.

Schultz has not announced any official plans to operate in 2020 and has so far downplayed speculations. Resident in Washington, he also did not meet officials of the Democratic Party of the State.

However, when the 65-year-old retired as CEO of Starbucks in June, he admitted he was considering running for political office.

"It's been a while since I've been deeply concerned about our country, the growing division at home and our position in the world," Schultz told the New York Times in June. "One of the things I want to do in my next chapter is to determine if there is a role I can play in surrendering."