Silicon Valley pioneer Ron Conway has dramatically resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board following CEO Marc Benioff’s controversial endorsement of President Trump and call for National Guard deployment in San Francisco. The resignation ends a 25-year friendship between two of tech’s most influential figures and highlights the deepening political divisions within the technology industry.
Conway, whose early investments in Google and Facebook helped shape modern technology, submitted his resignation in a blistering email obtained by The New York Times. The veteran investor expressed profound disappointment with Benioff’s political alignment, writing: “I now barely recognize the person I have so long admired.” The resignation comes after Conway served on the foundation’s board for ten years and maintained a close personal friendship with Benioff for over two decades.
The immediate trigger for Conway’s departure was Benioff’s interview last week where he expressed full support for President Trump and advocated for National Guard troops to be deployed in San Francisco, where Salesforce maintains its headquarters. Conway, a major Democratic donor, described Benioff’s comments as advocating for “an unwanted invasion of San Francisco by federal troops” and criticized his “willful ignorance” about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting families without criminal records.
Deepening Political Rifts in Tech Leadership
The public rupture between Conway and Benioff represents more than just a personal disagreement—it signals broader political realignments within technology leadership. While many technology executives have traditionally avoided direct political engagement, recent years have seen increasing polarization that now threatens long-standing business relationships and partnerships.
Conway’s email revealed that the two had discussed Benioff’s comments over several days, but the venture capitalist emerged unsatisfied with Benioff’s perspective on the Trump administration’s policies. “I have expressed candidly to you, repeatedly, in recent days, that I am shocked and disappointed by your comments,” Conway wrote, emphasizing his concern about the potential consequences of military deployment in urban communities.
San Francisco Leadership Pushes Back
Benioff’s comments have drawn sharp criticism from San Francisco officials, who note that the Salesforce CEO no longer lives or votes in the city. Since the pandemic began, Benioff has resided on Hawaii’s Big Island, where he has purchased multiple properties and is registered to vote.
Mayor Daniel Lurie released statistics this week showing homicides in San Francisco at a 70-year low, with drug overdose deaths also declining. The data directly contradicts narratives suggesting the city requires military intervention for public safety. As urban centers increasingly turn to technological solutions for public safety challenges, Benioff’s call for traditional military deployment represents a significant departure from Silicon Valley’s innovation-focused approach.
Dreamforce Location Threats and Security Concerns
Conway’s resignation email also addressed Benioff’s recurring threats to move Salesforce’s flagship Dreamforce conference to Las Vegas, citing safety concerns. “Your obsession with and constant annual threats to move Dreamforce to Las Vegas is ironic,” Conway wrote, “since it is a fact that Las Vegas has a higher rate of violent crime than San Francisco.”
The venture capitalist suggested that Benioff’s position might be influenced by financial considerations rather than genuine safety concerns. “San Francisco does not need a federal invasion because you don’t like paying for extra security for Dreamforce,” Conway asserted, highlighting what he perceived as hypocrisy in Benioff’s stance.
While Benioff has previously described San Francisco as “a lot more fun than Vegas,” his security-related threats to relocate the event have created tension with city leadership. Major corporate events increasingly face complex security and logistical considerations that can strain relationships between companies and host cities.
Broader Industry Implications
The Conway-Benioff split occurs amid significant technological transformation across multiple sectors. As major tech companies forge new partnerships to advance artificial intelligence capabilities, leadership alignment on social and political issues becomes increasingly important for maintaining cohesive corporate culture and stakeholder trust.
Salesforce’s response to Conway’s resignation has been measured. A company spokesperson expressed “deep gratitude for Ron Conway and his incredible contributions to the Salesforce Foundation Board for over a decade,” while highlighting the company’s $840 million in educational giving. The foundation, which held approximately $400 million in assets at the end of 2023, focuses on improving tech literacy and college preparation for disadvantaged students.
Technology and Urban Governance
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between technology leaders and municipal governments. As industries from construction to transportation embrace advanced automation, the relationship between corporate innovation and public policy continues to evolve in complex ways.
During this week’s Dreamforce conference, Benioff has largely avoided discussing Trump, immigration, or ICE operations, telling reporters instead that he “just cares about everyone’s safety.” This cautious approach suggests recognition of the sensitive nature of the issues that prompted Conway’s resignation.
The incident reflects how technology leaders are navigating increasingly polarized political environments while managing their corporate responsibilities and public personas. As Conway’s resignation demonstrates, political alignment has become a critical factor in maintaining professional relationships within the technology ecosystem.
The departure of such a prominent board member from Benioff’s philanthropic organization signals that political differences are now affecting even the most established relationships in Silicon Valley, potentially heralding a new era of political accountability for tech leaders whose statements and alliances face increasing scrutiny from peers and the public alike.
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