In a dramatic rupture of a 25-year friendship, prominent Silicon Valley investor Ron Conway has resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board following CEO Marc Benioff’s expressed support for President Trump and his call for National Guard deployment in San Francisco. The resignation, delivered via a fiery email obtained by The New York Times, highlights the deepening political divisions within the tech industry’s elite circles.
Conway, an early investor in Google and Facebook who had served on the foundation’s board for a decade, wrote that he “now barely recognize[s] the person I have so long admired” following Benioff’s controversial comments. The board resignation represents a significant schism between two of San Francisco’s most influential tech figures, with Conway emphasizing that their values were “no longer aligned.”
The Salesforce Foundation, which held approximately $400 million in assets by the end of 2023, focuses primarily on improving technology literacy and college preparation for disadvantaged students. Conway’s departure underscores how political disagreements are increasingly affecting philanthropic and corporate governance relationships in the technology sector.
The Email That Ended a Quarter-Century Friendship
Conway’s resignation email revealed the depth of his disappointment with his longtime friend. “I have expressed candidly to you, repeatedly, in recent days, that I am shocked and disappointed by your comments calling for an unwanted invasion of San Francisco by federal troops,” Conway wrote to Benioff. The veteran investor, known as a top Democratic donor, also criticized what he characterized as Benioff’s “willful ignorance and detachment from the impacts of the ICE immigration raids of families with NO criminal record.”
The email indicated that Conway had attempted to discuss his concerns directly with Benioff over several days but came away unsatisfied with the Salesforce CEO’s response. Conway expressed particular concern that Benioff failed to adequately consider the dangers posed by the Trump administration or the impact of his public statements.
Benioff’s Political Shift Stuns Silicon Valley
Benioff’s comments supporting President Trump and advocating for military deployment in San Francisco marked a surprising departure from his previous positioning as Silicon Valley’s rare progressive tech leader. In his interview with The New York Times, the billionaire executive stated he fully supported the president and believed National Guard troops should be deployed in Salesforce’s hometown to address crime concerns.
The comments ignited immediate backlash from San Francisco leaders, including Mayor Daniel Lurie, who released statistics showing homicides in the city at a 70-year low and drug overdose deaths declining. The political controversy emerges as defense technology investment patterns are shifting globally, with increased focus on security solutions that don’t necessarily involve military deployment.
Geographic and Political Distance Widens
Conway pointedly noted in his email that Benioff no longer lives or votes in San Francisco, having relocated to Hawaii’s Big Island during the pandemic where he has purchased multiple properties. This geographic separation has coincided with what Conway perceives as a growing detachment from the city’s actual conditions and needs.
“San Francisco does not need a federal invasion because you don’t like paying for extra security for Dreamforce,” Conway wrote, referencing Benioff’s annual threats to move the massive Salesforce conference to Las Vegas over safety concerns. Conway countered that Las Vegas actually has a higher violent crime rate than San Francisco, making the threatened relocation “ironic.”
Broader Implications for Tech Industry
The public falling-out between Conway and Benioff reflects larger tensions within the technology sector regarding political alignment and corporate responsibility. As technological innovation continues transforming various industries, the ethical and political stances of tech leaders are facing increased scrutiny from investors, employees, and the public.
During this week’s Dreamforce conference, Benioff has largely avoided discussing Trump, immigration, or ICE raids, telling reporters instead that he simply cares about “everyone’s safety.” Meanwhile, President Trump has indicated San Francisco could be the next location for National Guard deployment, noting appreciation for the “great support” for such action—possibly referencing both Benioff and Elon Musk, who has expressed similar views.
Foundation’s Mission and Response
Salesforce responded to Conway’s resignation with a measured statement expressing “deep gratitude for Ron Conway and his incredible contributions to the Salesforce Foundation Board for over a decade.” The company highlighted its historical giving of $840 million to educational causes and public schools, though the leadership shakeup raises questions about the foundation’s future direction.
The controversy highlights how advanced technologies are increasingly intersecting with social and political considerations, creating complex challenges for corporate leaders navigating divided political landscapes. As tech companies grow in influence, their leaders’ political positions are attracting greater attention and generating more significant consequences for partnerships and governance structures.
Neither Benioff nor Salesforce immediately responded to Fortune’s specific requests for comment about Conway’s resignation and the criticisms contained in his email. The public nature of the disagreement suggests that political divisions within the tech industry’s upper echelons may be reaching a new level of visibility and consequence.
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