Tech mogul Marc Benioff, CEO of cloud software company Salesforce, is facing backlash in his hometown of San Francisco after he endorsed President Donald Trump’s proposal to send the National Guard into the city to fight crime. The comments sparked outrage among local liberals and tech workers, many of whom are registered Democrats.
Benioff had been a longtime liberal supporter, but his endorsement of Trump’s plan for the National Guard in San Francisco raised concerns about his values aligning with those of his city. The fallout has led some local leaders to propose a tax on highly paid executives in San Francisco, which could reawaken tensions between the tech industry and liberal politics.
While Benioff has since retracted his comments and joined other tech figures in persuading Trump to hold off on deploying federal troops, the controversy has highlighted the challenges corporate leaders face when navigating the complex intersection of politics and culture.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/11/16/marc-benioff-controversy-san-francisco