"Conway Quits Salesforce Foundation Over Benioff's National Guard Comments Controversy"

Ron Conway Resigns from Salesforce Foundation Amid Benioff's National Guard Comments Controversy Renowned venture capitalist Ron Conway has resigned from the board of the Salesforce Foundation, citing his disappointment over CEO Marc Benioff's recent comments supporting President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in San Francisco. The move marks a significant departure for Conway, who had been a long-time friend and ally to Benioff, sharing similar left-leaning views until recently. According to TechCrunch, Benioff made the comments last week during an interview with the New York Times, arguing that San Francisco needs a show of force to combat crime and homelessness. He proposed deploying National Guard troops to address what he described as the city's deteriorating conditions. Benioff also praised Elon Musk's government efficiency efforts and expressed his lack of concern over reports on immigration raids or Trump's attacks on the press. Conway's resignation from the Salesforce Foundation follows a growing divide between tech industry leaders on issues of politics and social responsibility. The controversy has sparked debate among Silicon Valley executives, with some defending Benioff's comments as necessary to address San Francisco's problems, while others have criticized him for supporting Trump's policies. In an interview with TechCrunch, Conway stated that he was "disappointed" by Benioff's comments and felt it was time for him to step down from the Salesforce Foundation board. "I've been a long-time supporter of Marc and his efforts at Salesforce, but I couldn't stay on the board after hearing his comments," Conway said. The resignation highlights the complexities of navigating politics in the tech industry. As one expert noted, "Tech leaders are increasingly facing pressure to take a stance on social issues, and it's becoming clear that even those with similar views can have differing opinions on how to address them." Benioff has faced criticism for his comments from within the tech community, with some calling for him to apologize or step down as CEO. However, Salesforce has maintained that Benioff's comments were taken out of context and that he remains committed to addressing San Francisco's issues. The controversy surrounding Benioff's comments is ongoing, with many in the tech industry watching closely to see how it will unfold. As for Conway, his resignation from the Salesforce Foundation board marks a significant departure from his previous role as a long-time supporter of Benioff and his efforts at Salesforce. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Salesforce Foundation confirmed that Conway's resignation was effective immediately and thanked him for his service to the organization. This story was compiled from reports by TechCrunch and TechCrunch.