Salesforce’s Marc Benioff apologizes for saying Trump should send National Guard to San Francisco
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff issued a public apology on Friday for his previous suggestion that President Trump should deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco. He stated that his earlier remarks were made out of caution and after considering feedback from the community and local officials, he no longer believes federal intervention is necessary for public safety in the city.
In a post on X, Benioff expressed his change of opinion, stating, “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.” He also apologized for any concern his initial comment may have caused.
Benioff, a billionaire philanthropist and Democratic supporter, emphasized the importance of collaboration in San Francisco and thanked Mayor Daniel Lurie, the San Francisco Police Department, and city officials for their efforts during Dreamforce, the annual technology conference that attracted around 50,000 attendees.
Following his controversial interview with the New York Times where he expressed support for Trump’s National Guard deployment idea, Benioff faced backlash from city leaders and tech allies. The comments were met with criticism, with city officials highlighting the historically low crime rates in San Francisco.
The fallout from Benioff’s remarks led to the resignation of prominent figures like venture capitalist Ron Conway from the Salesforce Foundation board and the cancellation of performances by comedians Kumail Nanjiani and Ilana Glazer at Dreamforce.
Despite the controversy, Benioff brought in comedian David Spade to close the conference and reiterated his commitment to a safer San Francisco. Salesforce also announced plans to invest $15 billion in the city over the next five years to advance artificial intelligence initiatives.
Benioff, known for his philanthropic efforts in San Francisco, remains dedicated to the city’s well-being and continued progress.
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