Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz 'stunned' by Trump's election
Starbucks' CEO Howard Schultz sent a solemn note to Starbucks' more than 120,000 US employees on Wednesday morning, following Donald Trump's presidential election win.
"Last night, like so many of you, I watched the election returns with family and friends. And like so many of our fellow Americans — both Democrats and Republicans — I am stunned," the note begins.
The CEO goes on to encourage the chain's workers to move "onward together."
Schultz has long been an outspoken figure when it comes to politics, known for his support of progressive causes. In September, he endorsed Hillary Clinton for president.
"Like so many of our fellow Americans -- both Democrats and Republicans -- I am stunned."
"I think it's obvious that Hillary Clinton needs to be the next president," Schultz said in an interview with CNN's Poppy Harlow in September. "On the other side, we've seen such vitriolic display of bigotry and hate and divisiveness, and that is not the leadership we need for the future of the country."
On Sunday, prior to the election, Schultz wrote a letter to employees criticizing the "epic, unseemly" election, and asked them to share in compassion and empathy.
Starbucks also recently attempted to promote pre-election unity with seasonal green cups,featuring an illustration showing the faces of more than a hundred people drawn with a single continuous line.
Here's Wednesday's post-election note in its entirety:
Dear partners,
Last night, like so many of you, I watched the election returns with family and friends. And like so many of our fellow Americans – both Democrats and Republicans – I am stunned.
We cannot know what the precise impact will be on our country and the rest of the world. I am hopeful that we will overcome the vitriol and division of this unprecedented election season.
As Americans, we must honor the democratic process. We have a president-elect in Donald Trump, and it is our responsibility as citizens to give him the opportunity to govern well and bring our country together.
Whether you are pleased or disappointed by the outcome, we each still have a choice. Today and every day, we have a choice in how we treat one another in our homes, in our neighborhoods, and of course in our stores.
We can choose to answer the challenges of the day with kindness and compassion. We can choose to listen, to understand and to act with respect. We can choose to live by the values that reside in each of us, and honor our commitment to nurture the human spirit with love, and offer everyone in our stores and communities a place of inclusion and optimism.
Today, I trust you, and I trust all that is good in our country. Let's take care of each other and the people in our lives. I believe we will each find the best version of ourselves to help our country move on in the direction we all deserve. Together is where our collective power lies, as partners, and as Americans.
I am so very proud to be your partner.
Onward,
Howard
See more business leaders that endorsed Hillary in the 2016 election:
See Also:
Here's what will happen to Ivanka's business now that her dad won the election
Fast-food CEO urges people to vote for Trump, calling him the 'ultimate unifier'
Ivanka Trump is trying to distance herself from her father's campaign to save her brand
SEE ALSO: Furious customers are accusing Starbucks of 'political brainwashing' over green cups
