In a swift and public reversal, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has issued a full apology after suggesting that President Trump should deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco—a comment that sparked immediate backlash from residents, city officials, and civil rights advocates .
“I was wrong,” Benioff said in a statement released Thursday. “I no longer believe that National Guard troops are needed in San Francisco, and I regret the harm and fear my words may have caused.”
What Did Benioff Say—and When?
Earlier this week, during a private tech summit in Silicon Valley, Benioff reportedly urged the Trump administration to “send in the National Guard” to address what he described as “uncontrolled homelessness and public safety concerns” in downtown San Francisco .
The remarks, initially shared by attendees on social media, quickly went viral—drawing sharp criticism from Mayor London Breed’s office, community organizers, and even some Salesforce employees who called the suggestion militaristic and dehumanizing.
Why the Backlash?
San Francisco has long grappled with visible homelessness, open drug use, and mental health crises in certain neighborhoods. But many argue that framing these complex social issues as a security threat requiring military intervention ignores decades of failed housing and healthcare policy—and risks criminalizing vulnerable populations.
“This isn’t a war zone—it’s a city full of people who need support, not soldiers,” said Alicia Garza, a Bay Area activist and co-founder of Black Lives Matter, in response to Benioff’s original comments .
Benioff’s History with San Francisco
The irony isn’t lost on locals: Benioff, one of the city’s wealthiest residents and a vocal advocate for “compassionate capitalism,” has previously donated millions to homeless services and co-chaired the city’s “Our City, Our Home” initiative, which funds affordable housing and mental health programs .
His call for military deployment appeared to contradict his own philanthropy—and raised questions about the tech elite’s relationship with the communities they inhabit but often fail to understand.
Public Reaction After the Apology
While some praised Benioff for acknowledging his mistake quickly, others remain skeptical.
“An apology is a start—but real change means investing in housing, not helicopters,” tweeted Supervisor Dean Preston, who represents the city’s Mission District.
Salesforce employees reportedly held an impromptu town hall Thursday afternoon to discuss the incident, with several calling for greater internal accountability on public statements made by leadership.
What’s Next for Tech Leaders in Civic Discourse?
Benioff’s misstep highlights a growing tension: as tech CEOs wield increasing economic and political influence, their offhand remarks can ignite citywide controversy. The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of proposing top-down, security-focused “solutions” to deeply rooted systemic problems.
For now, San Francisco continues its slow, complex work on homelessness—without troops, but with renewed calls for empathy, policy reform, and community-led action.
