Salesforce CEO Apologizes After Calling for Federal Troops in San Francisco
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has apologized for his controversial comments supporting potential federal troop deployment in San Francisco, where his company is headquartered.
Key Takeaways
- Marc Benioff retracted his support for National Guard deployment in San Francisco
- The comments drew strong criticism from local leaders and investors
- Prominent investor Ron Conway resigned from Salesforce Foundation citing misaligned values
The Controversial Comments and Apology
Benioff’s original remarks were published in The New York Times last week, coinciding with Salesforce’s annual Dreamforce conference. He stated in the interview:
If we can’t have safety in our hometown, what can we do? I would welcome troops if they could help.
The comments came amid controversy over Trump administration deployments of National Guard to cities like Portland and Chicago, which sparked protests and legal challenges.
Benioff later apologized on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
I don’t believe National Guard is needed in San Francisco. I apologize for my comments.
Political Backlash and Resignation
California Governor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco officials quickly responded, emphasizing that federal troops were unnecessary and that crime rates were declining in the city.
The controversy prompted startup investor Ron Conway, who backed companies like Google and Airbnb, to resign from the Salesforce Foundation board. The New York Times reported Conway told Benioff their “values were no longer aligned.”
Conway, a major Democratic donor, has contributed approximately $500,000 to funds supporting Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign. Benioff has historically supported Democratic candidates including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Kamala Harris.
Political Speculation
Venture capitalist David Sacks, who serves as Trump’s AI and crypto adviser, suggested Benioff might be shifting toward the Republican Party following Conway’s resignation. Sacks had appeared with Benioff for an onstage interview at Dreamforce earlier in the week.
The incident highlights the challenges tech executives face when commenting on political and social issues.
