Elon Musk's recent stance on federal intervention in San Francisco has sparked a heated debate. In a surprising move, Musk has backed Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff's call for federal troops to be deployed in the city, a controversial proposal that has divided opinions.
"It's a drastic step, but it seems like the only solution at this point," Musk wrote on X, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. This endorsement came in response to a post by T. Wolf, a recovery advocate and former homeless resident, who highlighted the devastating impact of the fentanyl crisis in San Francisco, with over 4,300 overdose deaths since 2020.
Wolf referenced a survey by Voice of San Francisco, a conservative publication, which found that a significant majority of voters support federal intervention to address the issue of undocumented fentanyl dealers. This survey, conducted in March 2025, revealed that 61% of voters were in favor, and when including those who 'somewhat agreed', the support rose to an astonishing 83%.
"It's clear that the people of San Francisco are desperate for change," Wolf wrote, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The Voice of San Francisco framed this survey as a reflection of the city's collective frustration with local policies, which they argue have been too lenient towards fentanyl traffickers and addiction-related crimes. They claim that even in a city known for its progressive values, there is a limit to tolerance.
But here's where it gets controversial... Musk's support for Benioff's proposal is a surprising shift, given their past disagreements. On Saturday night, Musk reignited an old dispute with Benioff over Proposition C, a 2018 tax measure aimed at funding homelessness services. Musk criticized the initiative, calling it detrimental to the city's economy, while Benioff defended it as a moral obligation to help San Francisco's vulnerable residents.
Musk's recent remarks align with Benioff's controversial comments to the New York Times, where he urged President Trump to deploy the National Guard to 'reinforce' the police. Benioff's statement, made aboard his private plane, faced swift backlash from California Democrats and San Francisco leaders.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins accused Trump and his allies of promoting 'government-sponsored violence', while State Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, called Benioff's comments 'counterproductive' to the city's needs.
Benioff, whose company's Dreamforce convention is set to begin this week, has previously threatened to pull the event from San Francisco due to crime concerns. However, he reaffirmed his commitment to the city last year.
This development is part of a broader trend, with several prominent tech figures, including Apple's Tim Cook and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, making efforts to maintain cordial relations with the Trump administration.
The tension between those advocating for stronger enforcement and those warning against federal overreach highlights the political and cultural divide in San Francisco.
For Musk, this marks another shift towards conservative activism. In recent weeks, he has called for a boycott of Netflix over a transgender character, while simultaneously expanding his Neuralink operations in the Bay Area.
The question remains: Will President Trump follow through on sending troops to San Francisco? Federal judges have already blocked several of his recent deployments, citing violations of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of the military for domestic law enforcement.
As of October 12, 2025, the future of this proposal remains uncertain, leaving San Francisco's residents and leaders in a state of anticipation and uncertainty.
