It seems there is a way around Donald Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims entering the US – but only if you’re a politician who has just secured 1.3 million votes.
Sadiq Khan, who last week became the first Muslim mayor of London with an overwhelming victory, seems to have forced Trump into a partial U-turn on one of his most controversial policies.
In December Trump called for a “total and complete” temporary shutdown of US borders to Muslims following the terror attack in San Bernardino, California, in which a married Muslim couple murdered 14 people and seriously injured 22 others.
But last night Trump said he was “happy” about Khan’s election victory in London and indicated he would make an exception for him visiting the US if he were president.
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Trump told the New York Times: “There will always be exceptions. I think it’s a very good thing, and I hope he [Khan] does a very good job because frankly that would be very, very good.”
When pressed as to why Khan should be able to dodge the ban, Trump added: “Because I think if he does a great job, it will really — you lead by example, always lead by example. If he does a good job and frankly if he does a great job, that would be a terrific thing.”
Earlier, Khan told Time magazine he was intending to travel to the US before January 2017 “in case Donald Trump wins” to meet his counterparts in Chicago and New York.
In the same interview he predicted: “I’m confident that Donald Trump’s approach to politics won’t win in America.”
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Khan’s representatives did not return calls so it’s impossible to say when his visit will happen or whether he will seek a meeting with Trump.
Trump’s London-based foreign policy adviser, George Papadopoulos, could not be reached for comment.
But for Muslims planning a visit to the US should Trump win the presidency, one thing is becoming clear: election to high office as well as a valid passport and visa would improve your chances of gaining legal entry.