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Posted: 2019-02-11T11:43:10Z | Updated: 2019-02-11T11:43:10Z

Steve Schmidt is Howard Schultz s political adviser, but that doesnt mean hes ready to answer questions on the potential 2020 candidates platforms.

During a taping of his own podcast, Schmidt, a GOP strategist and ex-MSNBC pundit, refused to discuss the former Starbucks CEOs thoughts on Sen. Elizabeth Warren s (D-Mass.) tax proposal, storming out of an interview when pressed on the matter.

Does he really mean that a tax on incomes over $10 million at 70 percent, which is widely popular with the American people, is ridiculous? asked Words Matter host Adam Levine. Is that an adult conversation?

Responding, Schmidt defended Schultzs thinking, explaining that he feels its ridiculous and its confiscatory in that its anti-growth.

Levine then wondered whether the coffee mogul was simply considering his own pocket rather than any other sound logic on economic behaviors.

This is bullshit, Schmidt shot back. Im not doing this.

Thats when the adviser shut down the interview despite Levines demands he answer the question.

But at one point in the recording process, things reportedly got even more heated.

According to The Daily Beast , Schmidt went on an expletive-laden tirade, angered by being tasked with defending himself in his own podcast. He was persuaded to answer a half hours worth of questions only after being told that his audience was furious at his decision to join a movement that could lead to President Donald Trump s re-election. Thats significant since Schmidt has become defined as a so-called Never Trumper.

Levine revealed to The Daily Beast that Schmidt would be leaving the podcast altogether with no further involvement in the Words Matter company.

Not long after, co-host Elise Jordan announced via Twitter that she, too, would be stepping down.

I am so grateful to everyone who listened to the Words Matter @WMM_podcast. Unfortunately, I have decided to step away from the company Steve and I co-founded but hope we return soon on a new platform.

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I am so grateful to everyone who listened to the Words Matter @WMM_podcast . Unfortunately, I have decided to step away from the company Steve and I co-founded but hope we return soon on a new platform.

Elise Jordan (@Elise_Jordan) February 10, 2019

Last week, Schultz said it will be another three or four months before he decides whether he will seek an independent candidacy for president, Politico reported .

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The full podcast will be released on Monday.

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The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

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