More than a decade ago, a UK or Italian colleague travelling into US for a business trip said in an entry interview they are coming in "for work". An IT person, and way before Trump himself even had an idea of becoming a president.
They were drilled for hours until finally they let them in: it required producing a lot of paperwork by the company hosting the event on top of the traveller's documentation.
Nope, but they never admitted to already having worked on their temporary visit visa (waiver), or that they were denied entry in nearby country due to planning to work there. And they were at an international airport which would have given them easier option to get deported.
They were drilled for hours until finally they let them in: it required producing a lot of paperwork by the company hosting the event on top of the traveller's documentation.