“I Fully Support The President”: Marc Benioff’s Support For Trump And Troop Deployment Shocks San Francisco Leaders

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has publicly expressed support for former President Donald Trump and endorsed the idea of deploying National Guard troops to San Francisco, a move that has surprised local Democratic leaders. In an interview with The New York Times, published Friday, Benioff said he was “all for” sending Guard troops to the city to address crime and added, “I fully support the president.”

Benioff’s statements mark a notable shift for the tech billionaire, who has previously been a significant donor and ally to Democratic causes and candidates. According to Politico, the comments come as other tech leaders have increasingly expressed support for Trump, but Benioff’s backing puts him at odds with city and state officials who have long relied on his influence and philanthropy.

The CEO’s remarks have drawn sharp reactions from local politicians. Matt Dorsey, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, called the comments “a slap in the face to San Francisco,”. State Sen. Scott Wiener similarly criticized the proposal, saying that inviting Trump to deploy National Guard troops would constitute an “illegal military occupation” and is “not one of those good things” the company has contributed to the city.

Local Leaders Weigh Public Safety And Political Optics

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins also condemned Benioff’s remarks, emphasizing that turning public safety and immigration enforcement into what she described as “government-sponsored violence” is unacceptable. Mayor Daniel Lurie’s office took a more measured stance, highlighting recent reductions in crime statistics while avoiding direct comment on Benioff’s statements.

The comments have put Benioff at odds with California Governor Gavin Newsom, a longtime friend whose child is a godchild of the Salesforce CEO. Newsom has actively opposed Trump’s use of National Guard forces in the state and has joined legal efforts to block the federalization of troops in cities such as Los Angeles and Portland.

While Democratic leaders in California and nationally have expressed concern, White House officials responded positively to Benioff’s remarks. David Sacks, an adviser to Trump, posted “Checkmate” on social media platform X, and White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson highlighted the “outstanding results from President Trump”. Jackson declined to specify whether the president intends to deploy Guard troops to San Francisco.