Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Apologizes After Backlash Over National Guard Comment
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has publicly apologized after facing intense backlash for suggesting that US President Donald Trump should deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco to address the city’s public safety issues.
The apology came on Friday, days before Salesforce’s flagship Dreamforce conference — an event that typically celebrates innovation, community, and optimism in the tech world. This year, however, the mood was noticeably tense following Benioff’s controversial remarks.
Benioff Walks Back National Guard Suggestion
In a post shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Benioff admitted that his initial comments were misguided.
“Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans, I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco,” Benioff wrote.
He added that his original concern stemmed from an “abundance of caution” around Dreamforce’s security preparations, but acknowledged that his words had caused unnecessary alarm.
“I sincerely apologize for the concern it caused,” Benioff said. “I remain deeply grateful to Mayor Lurie, the SFPD, and all our partners, and am fully committed to building a safer, stronger San Francisco.”
Despite the apology, the fallout was swift — and widespread.
Political Leaders and Partners React
Several Democratic leaders rebuked Benioff for appearing to endorse federal intervention in a Democrat-led city. Among them was California Governor Gavin Newsom, a longtime ally of the Salesforce founder who had appeared on stage with him at last year’s Dreamforce event.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie also distanced himself from the controversy, canceling his scheduled appearance at the conference. Comedians Kumail Nanjiani and Ilana Glazer, who were slated to perform, similarly withdrew from the lineup.
In a more pointed move, prominent venture capitalist Ron Conway — one of Silicon Valley’s most influential figures — resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board on Thursday. Conway told The New York Times that he could “no longer align” his values with Benioff’s.
“I now barely recognize the person I have so long admired,” Conway said in the interview.
The departures and cancellations cast a shadow over what is usually one of the tech industry’s most high-profile and upbeat annual events.
Trump’s Expanding National Guard Deployments
Benioff’s comments came amid renewed debate over the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops in several Democratic-led cities.
Just hours before Benioff’s apology, President Trump filed an emergency appeal to the US Supreme Court to overturn lower court rulings that had blocked his plan to send troops into Chicago. The courts had ruled that such a deployment could lead to “civil unrest” and represented a “grave intrusion on Illinois’ sovereignty.”
So far, the Trump administration has deployed federal forces to Portland, Oregon, as well as parts of Los Angeles, Washington, and Tennessee, sparking protests and multiple legal challenges.
In a speech earlier this week, Trump referred to San Francisco as “a mess” and hinted that it was “next on the list” for National Guard deployment — comments that may have influenced Benioff’s now-regretted statement.
A Tarnished Moment at Dreamforce
Dreamforce, one of the world’s largest tech conferences, has long been a showcase for San Francisco — a city Benioff frequently calls “the heart of innovation.” But this year’s gathering was overshadowed by political controversy and internal strife.
Attendees described the atmosphere as “subdued” and “tense.” The usual optimism around new Salesforce products and charitable initiatives gave way to discussions about the company’s leadership and public image.
Veteran Silicon Valley publicist Sylvia Paull suggested that Benioff’s apology was as much a business decision as it was a moral one.
“He’s typical of many tech CEOs — not really political animals, more transactional,” Paull said. “He realized it was going to hurt his sales and his legacy.”
Benioff’s Long Record of Civic Involvement
Marc Benioff’s reputation as one of Silicon Valley’s most socially conscious executives makes the controversy particularly striking. Over the years, he has donated millions to civic causes and public institutions in San Francisco.
His name adorns UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, one of the most respected healthcare centers in the Bay Area. In 2018, he funded a local ballot measure to raise corporate taxes to support homeless services — a move that won approval despite opposition from business groups.
Benioff also owns Time Magazine, a purchase that positioned him as both a media and tech power player. Politically, he has long aligned with Democratic candidates, even hosting a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign.
Yet, in recent months, Benioff’s relationship with Trump appears to have thawed. He was seen alongside the president during Trump’s state visit to London, an event that surprised many observers given his previously critical stance on Republican policies.
Salesforce and the Trump Administration
Adding fuel to the fire, The New York Times reported this week that Salesforce has been in talks with the Trump administration to expand its cloud and data services for federal agencies. The company’s pitch reportedly coincides with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hiring more officers amid a national immigration crackdown.
When asked about the report, Salesforce declined to comment, and Benioff did not address the issue directly in his apology.
Meanwhile, Trump administration official David Sacks, a Silicon Valley investor and longtime Trump ally, extended an olive branch to Benioff on X.
“If the Democrats don’t want you, we’d be happy to have you on our team,” Sacks wrote.
The comment drew mixed reactions — some praising Benioff’s pragmatism, others accusing him of opportunism.
A Balancing Act for Tech Leadership
The controversy underscores the precarious position that major tech CEOs occupy as politics and business increasingly collide. Executives like Benioff, who have built reputations on progressive values, face mounting pressure to navigate complex relationships with policymakers of all stripes.
For now, Benioff’s apology appears aimed at damage control — an effort to stabilize Salesforce’s image ahead of major product announcements and earnings reports. Whether the mea culpa will be enough to restore public confidence remains to be seen.
As Sylvia Paull put it bluntly:
“He’s trying to save face, but in Silicon Valley, people have long memories.”