Marc Benioff’s Political U-Turn Stuns Silicon Valley
In a move that has left both Bay Area progressives and Washington insiders reeling, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is now publicly urging former President Donald Trump to send the National Guard to San Francisco—a city he once championed as a model of progressive innovation.
Benioff, who previously donated millions to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign and spearheaded a local business tax to fund homeless services, has undergone a dramatic ideological shift. In a recent interview, the billionaire tech executive and owner of Time magazine declared his full-throated support for Trump’s hardline approach to urban crime and disorder.
“If the city won’t fix it, the federal government must,” Benioff said, referencing the persistent homelessness, open-air drug use, and property crime that continue to plague downtown San Francisco despite years of local initiatives.
From Progressive Champion to Trump Ally
Benioff’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. Once hailed as the conscience of Silicon Valley, he co-authored California’s Proposition C in 2018—a measure that taxed large businesses to raise an estimated $300 million annually for homeless services. At the time, he framed it as a moral obligation: “We have a homelessness crisis, and we must act.”
But seven years later, with visible encampments still lining Market Street and business owners reporting double-digit drops in foot traffic, Benioff says local leadership has failed. “We tried compassion. We tried funding. Now we need order,” he told reporters.
Why the National Guard?
Benioff’s call for National Guard deployment echoes a growing sentiment among frustrated business leaders and residents. While critics warn that militarizing urban streets could escalate tensions, Benioff argues it’s a last resort:
“This isn’t about politics—it’s about survival. Our city is hemorrhaging talent, tourism, and trust. If the National Guard can restore basic safety, then so be it.”
Notably, Trump has not yet responded publicly—but insiders say the former president sees Benioff’s endorsement as a major win in his effort to peel off disaffected tech elites.
San Francisco by the Numbers: Crisis or Exaggeration?
To understand Benioff’s frustration, consider these stats from 2025:
| Metric | 2018 (Pre-Prop C) | 2025 (Post-Prop C) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsheltered Homeless | 4,350 | 7,200 | ↑ 65% |
| Business Closures (Downtown) | 12% of retail | 38% of retail | ↑ 217% |
| Public Drug Use Reports | 1,200/year | 4,500/year | ↑ 275% |
While city officials argue that Prop C funds have housed over 5,000 people since 2019, critics like Benioff say the system is overwhelmed and mismanaged.
What This Means for Tech and Politics
Benioff’s pivot signals a broader realignment in American tech. Once a Democratic stronghold, Silicon Valley is fracturing along new lines—between those who prioritize social equity and those demanding public order and economic stability.
As the 2028 election cycle heats up, expect more high-profile defections. For now, all eyes are on San Francisco: a city once synonymous with innovation, now at the center of a national debate over governance, compassion, and control.
Sources
- The New York Times: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send National Guard to San Francisco
- San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing – Annual Reports (2018–2025)
- San Francisco Chamber of Commerce – Downtown Business Survey, Q3 2025
