Salesforce CEO says National Guard should patrol San Francisco — stunning his own PR team | TechCrunch

TITLE: Salesforce CEO Stuns Staff With Call for National Guard in San Francisco

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Tech Titan’s Political Pivot

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has dramatically shifted his political stance, expressing full support for President Trump and calling for National Guard troops to patrol San Francisco streets. The surprising declaration came during a 50-minute phone interview with the New York Times conducted from Benioff’s private plane, leaving his own communications team visibly stunned by the remarks.

From Liberal Donor to Trump Supporter

Benioff, who has long positioned himself as San Francisco’s progressive billionaire, revealed his political transformation in startling detail. He described sitting across from Trump at a Windsor Castle state dinner, telling the president “how grateful I am for everything he’s doing.” The Salesforce founder praised Elon Musk’s government efficiency efforts and admitted he hadn’t closely followed news about immigration raids or Trump’s attacks on the media.

This represents a significant departure for the executive who has:

  • Funded homeless services throughout San Francisco
  • Donated millions to the city’s public schools
  • Hosted fundraisers for Hillary Clinton and Democratic causes

Awkward Moment With PR Team

The interview took an unexpected turn when Benioff apparently noticed his public relations executive’s reaction to his comments. “What about the political questions?” he could be heard asking. “Too spicy?” The exchange provided a rare glimpse into how corporate communications teams manage executive messaging, particularly when leaders express controversial political views.

According to The New York Times, which conducted the interview, the moment highlighted the tension between Benioff’s personal political evolution and Salesforce’s carefully cultivated public image. The company maintains hundreds of federal government contracts that could be affected by such political statements.

Silicon Valley’s Broader Shift

Benioff’s comments reflect a broader accommodation of the Trump administration within Silicon Valley, though his call for military patrols in a major American city represents an extreme position. As reported by TechCrunch, the tech industry has been gradually warming to the current administration despite initial resistance.

The development raises crucial questions about:

  • Corporate leadership and political expression
  • Tech industry relations with the federal government
  • Potential ripple effects among other Bay Area CEOs

Industry analysts from Bloomberg note that while many tech executives have softened their stance on Trump, Benioff’s specific call for military presence in urban areas represents uncharted territory for Silicon Valley leadership.

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As San Francisco grapples with complex urban challenges, Benioff’s surprising endorsement of military intervention in his own city signals a potential watershed moment in how tech leaders approach governance and public safety—and whether others will follow his controversial lead.

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