# Daily News: Muslim ban excludes countries linked to Trump's business empire **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 28, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423 "2017-01-28T19:13:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/1 "2017-01-28T19:13:13Z")
Yes, it’s the Daily News, but they seem to have their facts straight. > **[President Trump’s Muslim ban excludes countries linked to his sprawling...](https://www.nydailynews.com/2017/02/01/president-trumps-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-his-sprawling-business-empire/)** > > President Trump’s most recent executive order effectively bans citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. for at least 90 days — but some Muslim countries were s… > [@](#): > > Friday’s executive order, signed at the Pentagon, suspends the issuing of U.S. visas or travel permits to people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. > > Not a single American was killed on U.S. soil by citizens from any of those countries between 1975 and 2015, according to statistics tallied by the [conservative-leaning Cato Institute](https://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa798_2.pdf). > > However, the same set of statistics show that nearly 3,000 Americans were killed by citizens from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Turkey in the same time period — with the bulk of those killed being victims of the 9/11 attacks. Yet, people from those four countries are still welcome to apply for U.S. visas and travel permits. > > In a striking parallel, Trump’s sprawling business empire — which he has refused to rescind ownership of — holds multi-million dollar licensing and development deals in all of those countries, raising potential conflict of interest concerns and alarming questions over what actually went into the decision process behind Friday’s executive order. ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/2 "2017-01-29T01:42:37Z")
Just coming to post that. [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2017-trump-immigration-ban-conflict-of-interest/) is the original source. Not exactly flaming liberals. Can anybody still honestly pretend that The Donald’s business interested aren’t a blatant conflict of interest? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/3 "2017-01-29T01:57:17Z")
Perhaps Trump Enterprises avoids business deals in dangerous countries? Is a 50 million dollar contract to build a high rise in Syria a good idea? Who wants to do business in an autocracy like Iran? None of Trump Enterprises female executives could conduct meetings there. Trump does business in somewhat safer countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia. So what? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/4 "2017-01-29T02:03:32Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Perhaps Trump Enterprises avoids business deals in dangerous countries? > > Is a 50 million dollar contract to build a high rise in Syria a good idea? > > Who wants to do business in an autocracy like Iran? None of Trump Enterprises female executives could conduct meetings there. The four countries Trump excluded are the same four the 9/11 hijackers came from. Since there have been more terrorist attacks in this country by citizens of those countries than the countries named in the ban, shouldn’t they also be banned? As for Americans killed in Iraq, we were at war there. Not the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/5 "2017-01-29T02:05:21Z")
I’ve seen Western women journalists do reports from Saudi Arabia. They aren’t subjected to the religious police like the locals. It’s not pleasant, but Westerners can work and conduct business in Saudi Arabia. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/6 "2017-01-29T02:34:34Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Who wants to do business in an autocracy like Iran? None of Trump Enterprises female executives could conduct meetings there. About 6% of all businesses in Iran are owned by women. > **[Women in Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Iran#Entrepreneurship)** > > Throughout history, women in Iran have played numerous roles, and contributed in many ways, to Iranian society. Historically, tradition maintained that women be confined to their homes to manage the household and raise children.\[citation needed\] During the Pahlavi era, there was a drastic social change towards women's desegregation such as ban of the veil, right to vote, right to education, equal salaries for men and women, and the right to hold public office. Women were active participants ... The big problem for Trump would be what would instantly happen to him if he tried by grab one by the pussy. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/7 "2017-01-29T04:15:57Z")
How thoroughly unsurprising. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/8 "2017-01-29T04:42:21Z")
I suspect its not Trump’s businesses rather than the fact that these countries are much harder to push around and will retaliate. S Arabia is a major investor in the US. UAE has emerged as one of the centres of world trade and finance. Egypt and Turkey are major regional powers. To attribute it to Trump having business deals there is childish. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/9 "2017-01-29T04:52:10Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I suspect its not Trump’s businesses rather than the fact that these countries are much harder to push around and will retaliate. S Arabia is a major investor in the US. UAE has emerged as one of the centres of world trade and finance. Egypt and Turkey are major regional powers. > > To attribute it to Trump having business deals there is childish. Rather coincidental, though. And it does fit into his personal code of ethics. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/10 "2017-01-29T05:07:57Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Rather coincidental, though. And it does fit into his personal code of ethics. :rolleyes: He has no investments in Pakistan, not on the list either. Which is more likely? Major regional power and a nuclear weapon, state to boot? O[r he wants to invest in our booming real estate market](http://tribune.com.pk/story/1132452/karachi-lahore-properties-still-hot-steal-limelight/)? ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/11 "2017-01-29T10:10:03Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I suspect its not Trump’s businesses rather than the fact that these countries are much harder to push around and will retaliate. S Arabia is a major investor in the US. UAE has emerged as one of the centres of world trade and finance. Egypt and Turkey are major regional powers. > > To attribute it to Trump having business deals there is childish. When it comes to Trump, it would be foolish to ignore how any decision he makes benefits him. It’s naive to do otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/12 "2017-01-29T15:36:52Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Perhaps Trump Enterprises avoids business deals in dangerous countries? > > Is a 50 million dollar contract to build a high rise in Syria a good idea? > > Who wants to do business in an autocracy like Iran? None of Trump Enterprises female executives could conduct meetings there. > > Trump does business in somewhat safer countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia. So what? Now explain Egypt to me. I’ll wait. ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/13 "2017-01-29T17:52:56Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Who wants to do business in an autocracy like Iran? [Boeing](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-11/iran-air-to-buy-80-boeing-aircraft-first-such-deal-in-37-years), for starters. To the tune of $16.6 billion. ---
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/14 "2017-01-29T18:03:20Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Yes, it’s the Daily News, but they seem to have their facts straight. > > [President Trump’s Muslim ban excludes countries linked to his sprawling business empire – New York Daily News](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-businesses-article-1.2957956) Um, Trump didn’t select those seven nations, the Obama adminstration did last year: > **[DHS Announces Further Travel Restrictions for the Visa Waiver Program |...](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/02/18/dhs-announces-further-travel-restrictions-visa-waiver-program)** > > The Department of Homeland Security today announced that it is continuing its implementation of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 with the addition of Libya, Somalia, and Yemen as three countries of... > [@](#): > > Pursuant to the Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security had sixty days to determine whether additional countries or areas of concern should be subject to the travel or dual nationality restrictions under the Act. After careful consideration, and in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that **Libya, Somalia, and Yemen be included as countries of concern** , specifically for individuals who have traveled to these countries since March 1, 2011. At this time, the restriction on Visa Waiver Program travel will not apply to dual nationals of these three countries. DHS continues to consult with the Department of State and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to develop further criteria to determine whether other countries would be added to this list. > > Last month, the United States began implementing changes under the Act. **The three additional countries designated today join Iran, Iraq, Sudan and Syria as countries subject to restrictions for Visa Waiver Program travel for certain individuals**. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/15 "2017-01-29T18:15:08Z")
> [@Surreal](#): > > Um, Trump didn’t select those seven nations, the Obama adminstration did last year: > > [https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/02/18/dhs-announces-further-travel-restrictions-visa-waiver-program](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/02/18/dhs-announces-further-travel-restrictions-visa-waiver-program) But not for a total travel ban. ---
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/16 "2017-01-29T18:25:58Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > But not for a total travel ban. That’s not the point of the thread. Try reading the OP. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/17 "2017-01-29T18:42:35Z")
Let’s look through that list of countries that the story specifically mentioned as being covered by the ban: Iran: Listed as the top state sponsor of terror by the State Dept last summer. Iraq: Currently there are large chunks of their country controlled by IS. Current US campaign to assist defeat of IS. Libya: Near failed state. Both governments are currently being assisted by US Special Operations against the IS affiliate there. Somalia: Failed state with both an IS affiliate and Al-Shabbah as threats operating there. US Special Operations currently engaged on the ground. Sudan: State sponsor of terror. IS and Al-Shabbah issues. US Special Operations currently engaged. Syria: A multi-sided civil war with the central government mostly not in control. IS’s “home.” US Special Operations engaged on the ground. Oh an they are a state sponsor of terror for the limited ability they have to operate as state at the moment. Yemen: Ongoing civil war with Saudi intervention. IS and AQAP (Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) are major players on the ground. US Special Operations were sighted there last year. In the last 24 hours a counter terror raid by the US involved us taking four casualties (1 KIA, 3 WIA). Aside from Iran, who sponsors terror, it’s a list of places with high terror threats and governments in weak positions to assist with vetting. Mostly they are places where we are currently and actively fighting that terror threat. It’s basically a list of key places the Obama administration was fighting it’s counterterrorism campaign. If you are going to name places where you might want to suspend visas because of potential terror threats it doesn’t take a Trump conflict of interest to build that list. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/18 "2017-01-29T23:04:50Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Now explain Egypt to me. I’ll wait. Eight hours, still waiting. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daily-news-muslim-ban-excludes-countries-linked-to-trumps-business-empire/778423/19 "2017-01-29T23:22:29Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Eight hours, still waiting. You may wait a long time.