Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has a reputation as a progressive, San Francisco billionaire one that he has earned by being pretty reliably left-wing on social issues. So some people are surprised by how positive he has been about the incoming Trump administration. For instance:
Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump and his Family on your remarkable achievement. This has now become a time of great promise for our nation, and we look forward to working together to drive American success and prosperity for all. May Gd Bless The United States of… pic.twitter.com/KVDRnOuBNC
— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) November 7, 2024
There are other signs that, like the rest of the country, Benioff is moving right:
Amid dozens of posts about Salesforce’s new Agentforce platform, Benioff has positioned himself and his interests within the MAGA orbit, praising President-elect Donald Trump’s associates like Musk and Marc Andreessen, and touting Lex Fridman’s interview with Argentinian president Javier Milei, a right-wing populist and social conservative derided by the left and idolized by the Trumpian right.
Here’s his tweet about Milei:
One of the most compelling 2 hours I’ve spent listening to a world leader. I had greatly misunderstood Javier Milei. His holistic perspective on economics, philosophy, society, history, and spirituality is profoundly inspiring. ❤️?? https://t.co/awWSh6ZspV
— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) November 24, 2024
So is Benioff genuinely changing or is he just reading the room? Outside observers are split on that one. On the one hand…
It’s been a pleasure watching you come around and becoming more based. You’re exploring new perspectives, inch by inch aligning with new narratives, and doing it in such a way that doesn’t compromise your businesses and prior relationships. We want to give you credit.
— Autism Capital ? (@AutismCapital) November 30, 2024
And on the other hand…
Marc @Benioff is a spineless weasel who has been at the forefront of radical left nonsense including woke cancel culture, DEI, and related nonsense, which Salesforce still pushes.
He helped to ruin SF, feeding the homeless-industrial complex instead of condemning it (that would… https://t.co/fy8ST5B1Fo
— Joe Lonsdale (@JTLonsdale) November 30, 2024
It reads:
He helped to ruin SF, feeding the homeless-industrial complex instead of condemning it (that would put him in leftists’ cross-hairs, which takes moral courage: which he has not). He also funded crony prop C that taxes revenue, not profit; he’s smart enough to know that’s totally unethical (but hurts other companies more than his).
He now sees which way power is going, but until he apologizes, fires radicals, and cleans up his own mess, should be kept far away from this admin @elonmusk
Today the SF Chronicle published an interview with Benioff about his apparent change of heart:
In an exclusive interview with the Chronicle, Benioff defended his post-election public statements, which have included fawning social media messages adorned with American flags and heart emojis.
“I feel that when we elect a new politician we have to absolutely support them — this is our president now,” he told the Chronicle in an hourlong phone interview. “This is a moment where we are turning the page. … It’s an opportunity for a new chapter.”
His hope: Trump is a successful president and that “we continue to be great leaders in the world.” He said, “I think it’s only appropriate to want our president to be successful.”
That makes complete sense. It’s also not how progressives usually operate. Maybe that’s why SF progressives are shocked one of their own could talk this way about Trump and Musk. They are convinced it’s all a ruse.
Supervisor Hillary Ronen, one of San Francisco’s most progressive lawmakers, was taken aback by Benioff’s comments about Trump and Musk. Ronen said she had long been “a big fan” of Benioff because of his willingness to pay his fair share of taxes to address inequality.
“I’ve always respected Marc Benioff as a really smart and ethical person,” Ronen said. “I’m really disappointed. What has changed for him? Because let me tell you, nothing has changed for me.”…
Mark Buell, a prominent Democratic Party donor from San Francisco, said Benioff’s public statements were likely strategic moves reflecting “the realities of doing business.” Buell doesn’t know the Salesforce chief personally, he said, but Benioff has always struck him as being a “decent guy who wants to support the improvement of his hometown.”
We’ll see how long the love fest lasts. My guess is that Benioff will jump back to his actual beliefs in a few months and he’ll claim he really gave Trump a chance when he turns. But I guess we’ll see.
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