Marc Benioff’s Surprising Trump Support Shocks San Francisco
Marc Benioff, the billionaire co-founder and CEO of Salesforce, has long been one of San Francisco’s most prominent liberal voices—an outspoken advocate for social justice, environmental responsibility, and progressive causes. So when Benioff appeared to align himself with Donald Trump in recent remarks praising the former president’s economic policies and leadership style, the reaction from his hometown was swift and fierce. For many city and state leaders, it felt like a “slap in the face.”
Benioff’s unexpected comments came during a recent business conference, where he spoke about the need for “stronger leadership” and credited Trump’s first term with driving corporate confidence and economic growth. The remarks marked a sharp departure from his years of supporting Democratic candidates, including President Joe Biden, and his active campaigning for social programs addressing homelessness and income inequality in San Francisco.
City officials and local activists were quick to express disappointment, viewing Benioff’s statements as a betrayal of the values he once championed. San Francisco Mayor London Breed and several state lawmakers issued veiled criticisms, emphasizing that the city’s progress depends on inclusivity, not division. Some of Benioff’s longtime allies in philanthropy and politics have called for clarification, while others worry that his shift could embolden corporate leaders to reframe progressive ideals as obstacles to growth.
For Benioff, who has long walked a fine line between capitalism and conscience, the controversy exposes the tension between moral advocacy and business pragmatism. His praise for Trump may reflect frustration with California’s slow bureaucratic processes, regulatory gridlock, and growing anti-business sentiment. It also mirrors a broader rightward drift among high-profile tech leaders who see themselves as rebels against political orthodoxy.
Still, in a city that prizes its progressive identity, Benioff’s apparent realignment is nothing short of seismic. San Francisco’s political establishment now faces the uncomfortable reality that one of its most visible champions of liberal causes is reconsidering his loyalties. Whether his comments signal a genuine ideological shift or a calculated business move, they have already ignited debate over the widening gap between Silicon Valley’s billionaires and the city they helped shape. For many, Benioff’s Trump turn underscores a growing question: can San Francisco’s progressive spirit survive when its wealthiest voices begin to abandon it?