Marc Benioff, co-founder and CEO of Salesforce, has retracted his earlier comments suggesting that the National Guard patrol San Francisco.
In a recent post on X, Benioff stated, “After hearing from my fellow San Franciscans and local officials, and following our most successful and secure Dreamforce event to date, I now believe that the National Guard is not necessary for addressing safety in San Francisco. My previous remarks were made out of caution surrounding the event, and I apologize for any concern they may have caused.” Read more here.
Benioff sparked significant debate last week following an interview with The New York Times, where he expressed support for President Donald Trump’s suggestion to deploy National Guard troops in cities governed by Democratic leaders, including San Francisco. His remarks were reportedly influenced by concerns regarding the security costs associated with the large-scale Dreamforce conference the company organized in San Francisco.
In addition to his safety concerns, the billionaire, who has traditionally leaned liberal, controversially aligned himself with Trump, stating, “I fully support the president,” and praising Trump’s performance. At the conclusion of the interview, he humorously queried his surprised PR representative, “Too spicy?”
Although Benioff’s newfound support for Trump aligns with the trend of a rightward shift among tech executives—where nearly 70% of Silicon Valley leaders are reported to oppose him—his call for the National Guard in San Francisco sparked backlash from former allies and Democratic figures. Notably, prominent venture capitalist Ron Conway resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board, reportedly declaring in an email, “I now barely recognize the person I have so long admired.” You can find more about this here.
Additionally, an event featuring both Benioff and San Francisco Mayor Dan Lurie was canceled, with organizers attributing the change to forecasted rain.
State Senator Scott Wiener, who represents the San Francisco area, expressed relief via Politico, stating, “I’m grateful that Marc retracted his call for the National Guard’s deployment. He has contributed significantly to our city and supported various civic initiatives, so I’m pleased to witness this change in stance.”
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Trump has already deployed the National Guard in various cities, including Washington, D.C., and Chicago, though attempts to do the same in Portland have faced judicial opposition. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has consistently characterized this as an “invasion” of his state. Learn more about this situation here.
