Ellison: Trump is ‘OK’ with wealthy Muslims

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), on Monday alleged that President Trump is “OK” with wealthy Muslims, but not with those fleeing war-torn countries.

During a television appearance on MSNBC’s “All In with Chris Hayes” Monday night, Ellison criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate parts of Trump’s travel ban aimed at temporarily halting individuals from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. 

“There’s no doubt that, you know, these countries were picked because they’re Muslim-majority countries. And it’s interesting that when Trump goes to places like Saudi Arabia, he seems to not want to ban everybody,” Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, said.

{mosads}“You know, if they have a hotel, or if they’re rich or something, he seems to be OK with those Muslims. But the other ones, who are fleeing tyranny like people in Syria, he wants to ban. And I think that’s pretty sad and disappointing.”

Ellison also slammed Trump’s rhetoric, saying it is “green lighting … hate.”

“My take is that there is more than simply this ban at stake. It is the culture and climate of our society,” Ellison said.

The Supreme Court delivered Trump a victory on Monday, allowing his travel ban to take effect, albeit on a limited basis, before it hears a lawsuit against the policy this fall.