Marc Benioff, the founder and CEO of Salesforce, has publicly called for the deployment of National Guard troops to San Francisco. This request marks a notable shift in his political stance, as Benioff has previously been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump and has supported Democratic causes.
In an interview with The New York Times, Benioff expressed support for Trump’s handling of the presidency and said he was “all for” deploying National Guard troops to address crime in San Francisco. “I fully support the president,” Benioff told the Times.
Benioff’s comments have surprised many local Democrats who once considered him an ally. Matt Dorsey, a member of San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors, reacted by saying on X, “This is a slap in the face to San Francisco.”
The backlash from these remarks led to further consequences. According to KQED News, Benioff was scheduled to appear at a press event with Mayor Daniel Lurie on Monday afternoon. However, the event was cancelled after controversy grew over Benioff’s advocacy for National Guard intervention and his praise for Trump.
Benioff also criticized the city’s approach to combating crime and suggested that police funding should be increased. These statements come despite reports that San Francisco’s police budget has grown and violent crime rates are down.
The reaction from some members of the left highlights tensions within political circles when prominent figures shift their positions or publicly support opposing viewpoints.
