Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff issued a public apology on Friday for his earlier suggestion that President Donald Trump should deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco. The controversial remark, made ahead of Salesforce’s annual Dreamforce conference, sparked widespread criticism from Democratic leaders and the public. Benioff clarified his stance in a social media post, stating, ‘Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans… I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco.’
The incident unfolded against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s ongoing military deployments to various U.S. cities, many of which are governed by Democrats. On Friday, Trump urged the Supreme Court to overturn lower court rulings that blocked a National Guard deployment in Chicago, citing concerns over civil unrest. The Dreamforce convention, typically a celebratory event, was marred by canceled appearances from San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and comedians Kumail Nanjiani and Ilana Glazer.
Benioff faced public rebukes from prominent Democratic figures, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who once served as San Francisco’s mayor. Venture capitalist Ron Conway resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board, expressing disillusionment with Benioff’s values. Despite his apology, Benioff defended his initial comments as stemming from an ‘abundance of caution’ regarding Dreamforce security.
The controversy has highlighted the political tightrope walked by tech executives like Benioff, who have historically supported Democratic causes but occasionally align with Republican initiatives. Benioff, a prolific donor to San Francisco civic projects, has funded homeless services and owns Time Magazine. However, his recent appearance with Trump during a state visit to London and Salesforce’s reported pitch to the Trump administration for immigration enforcement services have further complicated his political standing.
As the debate over National Guard deployments continues, the incident underscores the growing tension between Silicon Valley leaders and the political landscape they navigate.