Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff apologizes for saying Trump should send National Guard to San Francisco

Core Viewpoint - Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff publicly apologized for suggesting the deployment of National Guard troops to San Francisco, stating that he no longer believes federal intervention is necessary for public safety [1][2][5]. Group 1: Apology and Clarification - Benioff expressed that his earlier comments were made out of "an abundance of caution" related to the Dreamforce event and he thanked local officials for their support [2][4]. - He acknowledged the success of Dreamforce, which attracted approximately 50,000 visitors, and emphasized the importance of collaboration for progress in San Francisco [4][12]. Group 2: Reaction and Criticism - His initial remarks received backlash from city leaders and allies in the tech community, with local officials noting that crime rates in San Francisco have reached a 70-year low [7][10]. - Prominent figures, including venture capitalist Ron Conway, resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board in response to Benioff's comments, indicating a significant fallout within the community [8]. Group 3: Future Commitments - Despite the controversy, Salesforce announced plans to invest $15 billion in San Francisco over the next five years to advance artificial intelligence initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to the city [11].