San Francisco, CA — In a stunning political pivot, billionaire Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, known for heavily funding liberal causes, is now voicing full support for President Donald Trump and is calling for the National Guard to be deployed to San Francisco to tackle escalating crime and homelessness.
“We don’t have enough cops, so if [the National Guard] can be cops, I’m all for it,” Benioff told The New York Times.
“I fully support the president. I think he’s doing a great job,” he added.
The surprising endorsement comes just days before his company’s high-profile Dreamforce 2025 conference in downtown San Francisco. Benioff admitted that he routinely hires off-duty police officers to ensure safety around the event venue, a growing necessity as crime continues to plague the city.
From Left-Wing Donor to Trump Supporter
Benioff’s public praise for Trump marks a dramatic shift from his prior political leanings. Between 2022 and 2024, Salesforce donated more than $23 million to the progressive Tides Foundation, a hub for left-wing activism. The company also contributed $1.5 million to the New Venture Fund, a liberal organization with controversial ties.
Salesforce has long championed progressive causes, including transgender rights and social equity. The company initiated the Pledge 1% program, which encourages companies to donate a portion of their profits, equity, and time to charity. That initiative was later handed over to the Tides Foundation and has gained participation from over 9,000 companies worldwide.
Meeting with Trump and Praise at Royal Dinner
Benioff’s evolving relationship with Trump became more visible last month when he sat across from the president at King Charles’ state dinner at Windsor Castle. According to the New York Times, Benioff used the opportunity to personally thank Trump for his leadership.
“I repeatedly told him how grateful I am for everything he’s doing,” said Benioff.
This cozying up comes as Trump has publicly blasted Democratic leadership in cities like San Francisco, blaming them for the decay of once-thriving urban centers.
“You look at what the Democrats have done to San Francisco — they’ve destroyed it. We can clean that up, too,” Trump said in August.
What’s Next for San Francisco?
San Francisco continues to grapple with homelessness, drug abuse, and public safety concerns. Despite the city’s progressive policies, high-profile business leaders like Benioff are signaling that it may be time for a more aggressive response, including federal intervention.
The White House has yet to confirm whether National Guard troops will be deployed to San Francisco, but Benioff’s call adds pressure to take action ahead of his company’s major annual event.
“You’ll see. When you walk through San Francisco next week, there will be cops on every corner,” Benioff said. “That’s how it used to be.”
📌 Conclusion
Marc Benioff’s reversal — from liberal mega-donor to vocal Trump supporter — underscores a growing frustration among tech leaders over urban crime, and it may signal a broader political realignment in Silicon Valley. As San Francisco continues to spiral, even its most progressive champions are turning to unconventional solutions — including President Trump.
