Key Takeaways
- Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has apologized for suggesting National Guard deployment in San Francisco.
- His initial comments supporting Trump’s federal troop deployment drew significant backlash.
- Prominent VC Ron Conway reportedly quit Salesforce Foundation board over the controversy.
Salesforce billionaire Marc Benioff has publicly apologized for his controversial suggestion that President Donald Trump should send the National Guard to San Francisco. The tech CEO’s remarks initially sparked widespread criticism from the community and local officials.
“Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans and our local officials, and after the largest and safest Dreamforce in our history, I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco,” Benioff posted on X on Friday.
“My earlier comment came from an abundance of caution around the event, and I sincerely apologize for the concern it caused,” he added.
Initial Controversial Comments
Just last week, Benioff told the New York Times he supported Trump’s deployment of federal troops into Democrat-led cities, believing it could help reduce crime in San Francisco. The comments came as the company’s annual Dreamforce conference drew tens of thousands of visitors to the city.
“We don’t have enough cops, so if they can be cops, I’m all for it,” he said to the Times.
Backlash and Consequences
Benioff’s comments triggered immediate backlash, even within his inner circle. The New York Times reported that prominent venture capitalist Ron Conway resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board over Benioff’s Trump comments.
The controversy deepened when The Times revealed Benioff’s ties to Trump extended beyond National Guard support. Internal documents showed Salesforce pitching itself as a hiring tool for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, suggesting how AI could improve ICE investigations and tip evaluations.
Salesforce maintained it has served the US government under previous administrations, with reports noting the company contracted with ICE during both Obama and Biden administrations.
