Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff issued a public apology on Friday for his earlier remarks supporting the potential deployment of National Guard troops to San Francisco by President Donald Trump, following significant criticism from local leaders and residents.
Benioff’s apology came after he told The New York Times that he would welcome federal troops to address safety concerns in the city, stating, “We don’t have enough cops, so if they can be cops, I’m all for it.” This comment was made ahead of Salesforce’s annual Dreamforce conference, which took place from Tuesday to Thursday in downtown San Francisco, and it quickly ignited a firestorm of backlash from politicians and community figures.
The backlash was swift and severe. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a former San Francisco mayor, publicly rebuked Benioff, emphasizing that crime is decreasing and federal troops are not welcome. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie canceled his appearance at Dreamforce, as did comedians Kumail Nanjiani and Ilana Glazer, dampening the usually celebratory atmosphere of the event and highlighting the divisive nature of Benioff’s initial statement.
Further escalating the situation, prominent venture capitalist Ron Conway resigned from the board of the Salesforce Foundation on Thursday, telling the New York Times that his values were “no longer aligned” with Benioff’s. Conway, a longtime Democratic donor, expressed deep disappointment, saying he “now barely recognize[s] the person I have so long admired,” underscoring the personal and professional rifts caused by the controversy.
The controversy occurs against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s ongoing deployments of National Guard troops to various U.S. cities, many led by Democrats. Trump has recently sent troops to Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, sparking protests and legal challenges. On Friday, Trump urged the Supreme Court to permit the deployment in Chicago after lower courts blocked it, citing risks of civil unrest and questioning the legal basis for such federal intervention.
Benioff, who also owns Time Magazine, has a history of civic engagement in San Francisco, including funding homeless services and having a hospital named after him. Despite his past support for Democratic candidates like Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, his comments drew praise from some Republican figures. David Sacks, Trump’s AI and crypto czar, invited Benioff to “join our team,” while Elon Musk amplified the original remarks, describing San Francisco as a “drug zombie apocalypse” and fueling partisan divisions.
In his apology on X, Benioff clarified that his initial comment stemmed from “an abundance of caution” around Dreamforce security and expressed regret for the concern it caused. He affirmed his commitment to working with local officials for a safer city, stating, “It’s my firm belief that our city makes the most progress when we all work together in a spirit of partnership.” The episode highlights the delicate balance tech leaders must maintain between business interests and political statements, especially in a polarized climate, and may influence how corporate executives engage in public discourse moving forward.