Comedians Cancel Dreamforce Performance Amidst Backlash Over CEO’s Trump Support
Comedians Kumail Nanjiani and Ilana Glazer have canceled their scheduled performance at Salesforce’s annual tech conference, Dreamforce, following controversial remarks made by CEO Marc Benioff. Benioff’s comments, which expressed support for President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to reduce crime in San Francisco, sparked widespread backlash from Silicon Valley philanthropists and Democrats.
Last week, Benioff told the New York Times that he believed the National Guard should be deployed to address safety concerns in San Francisco, a statement that was met with criticism from many in the tech community. However, on Friday, Benioff apologized for his remarks, stating that he did not believe the National Guard was needed to address safety in San Francisco and that his earlier comment was made out of an abundance of caution.
Benioff’s Controversial Remarks and Apology
Benioff’s initial comments were seen as a show of support for President Trump, which sparked outrage among many in the tech community, including comedians Nanjiani and Glazer. Both comedians have been critical of Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric in the past and have used their platforms to speak out against his policies. Although they have not publicly spoken out about Benioff’s remarks, their decision to cancel their performance at Dreamforce is seen as a response to his comments.
Benioff has since apologized for his remarks, stating that he was trying to make a point about ensuring the safety of attendees at Dreamforce. He also announced that he would be donating an additional $1 million to fund larger hiring bonuses for new police officers in San Francisco. Despite his apology, the controversy surrounding his comments has overshadowed the conference, which featured well-known speakers including tech executives, government officials, and entertainers.
Backlash and Resignations
The backlash against Benioff’s comments has been widespread, with many in the tech community speaking out against his support for President Trump. Prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalist and Democratic donor Ron Conway resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board, citing Benioff’s “obsession” with moving Dreamforce to Las Vegas and his comments about deploying the National Guard to San Francisco. Conway’s resignation is seen as a significant blow to Benioff and Salesforce, given his influence and reputation in the tech community.
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs also published an essay in the Wall Street Journal, criticizing Benioff’s comments and arguing that his generosity is not truly generous if it comes with expectations of control. The controversy surrounding Benioff’s comments has highlighted the complex and often fraught relationship between tech companies and the cities in which they operate.
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