Salesforce's New Hire, Monica Langley, Might Help Company Land Its Next Major Acquisition

Salesforce.com, inc. CRM is welcoming a new Executive Vice President of Global Strategic Affairs, but the candidate may not have the background you'd expect.

Political reporter Monica Langley is ending her 20-year tenure with The Wall Street Journal to make a sharp career transition.

"Welcome to @Salesforce @monicalangley. Were so excited to have you on our team! We love your wisdom, wit,& desire to make the world better!" Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff tweeted.

As a corporate-lawyer-turned-reporter, Langley may have the experience and knowledge needed to lead global strategic affairs.

But she also has connections.

While with the WSJ, Langley published in-depth profiles of President-elect Donald Trump.

Politico described Langley’s relationship with Trump as “friendly,” and it recalled criticism that the reporter drew from peers throughout last fall that her reports were “fawning” of the presidential candidate.

The move from Salesforce follows long — though latent — discussions regarding a major potential acquisition.

Until October, Salesforce had reportedly considered issuing a bid to acquire Twitter Inc TWTR, but talk was halted when Fidelity Management, Salesforce’s largest holder, questioned the move.

Some speculate that Salesforce might have plans to engage in a deal large enough to require approval from federal regulators, and having a Trump insider might help propel the company over regulatory hurdles.