Executive Backtrack Follows Widespread Criticism
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has publicly reversed his position on former President Donald Trump’s proposal to deploy military forces to San Francisco, according to reports. The tech executive, who previously expressed strong support for Trump and his crime reduction strategies, now states he no longer believes National Guard soldiers are “needed to address safety” in the city.
Benioff’s initial comments, made to The New York Times last week, reportedly included praise for Trump’s presidential performance and endorsement of military intervention to address San Francisco’s ongoing challenges with homelessness and drug use. Sources indicate the remarks triggered immediate backlash within the company and broader tech community.
Philanthropic Board Member Resigns in Protest
The controversy prompted the resignation of Ron Conway, often called the “godfather of Silicon Valley,” from the Salesforce Foundation board after more than a decade of service. According to people familiar with the matter, Conway expressed significant concerns about Benioff’s political alignment with Donald Trump in his resignation letter.
Conway’s departure represents a substantial blow to the foundation’s leadership, given his stature in the technology investment community and early backing of companies including Google and PayPal. Analysts suggest this resignation underscores the deepening political divisions within Silicon Valley’s power structure.
Employee and Community Backlash Intensifies
A coalition of more than 100 individuals claiming to be Salesforce alumni, customers, and employees signed an open letter demanding Benioff retract his statements and commit to community-based initiatives. The letter threatened to reveal details about company dealings unless demands were met, stating signatories would “use every tool available” to highlight discrepancies between Salesforce’s stated values and executive actions.
The report states that Benioff addressed the controversy directly on social media platform X, explaining that his original comments “came from an abundance of caution” around the company’s Dreamforce conference and apologizing for “the concern it caused.” He reaffirmed his commitment to “a safer, stronger San Francisco.”
Political Reversal for Prominent Democrat Supporter
Benioff’s initial support for Trump marked a significant departure from his established political affiliations. The Salesforce chief previously hosted fundraisers for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and donated to campaigns of Kamala Harris and Barack Obama. According to reports, his comments also created tension with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has strongly opposed Trump’s intervention in state affairs.
The controversy overshadowed Salesforce’s annual Dreamforce conference, which typically attracts approximately 50,000 attendees. Benioff reportedly hired 200 off-duty law enforcement officers to provide security for the event, reflecting ongoing concerns about safety in the city despite his reversed position on military deployment.
Broader Silicon Valley Political Shifts
Benioff’s initial alignment with Trump follows a pattern of other prominent tech executives reportedly supporting the former president. Sources indicate that Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and OpenAI’s Sam Altman were among executives who donated to Trump’s 2025 inaugural fund earlier this year, while Apple’s Tim Cook reportedly praised Trump and presented him with a commemorative gift.
This political positioning occurs alongside other industry developments and market trends affecting technology companies. The situation also coincides with related innovations across the sector that continue to shape corporate governance decisions.
Corporate Response and Foundation Impact
Salesforce acknowledged Conway’s contributions in a formal statement, expressing “deep gratitude for Ron Conway and his incredible contributions to the Salesforce Foundation board for over a decade.” The company highlighted that it “has given more than $840mn” globally through its philanthropic efforts.
The report states that neither Benioff nor Conway responded to requests for additional comment on the situation. The episode illustrates the increasing challenges tech executives face in navigating political expression while maintaining employee morale and public perception in a deeply polarized environment.
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