Trump Welcomes Syrian President Al-Sharaa to White House: A Fragrant Diplomatic Encounter
President Donald Trump welcomed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House, marking the first visit by a Syrian head of state to the Oval Office since the country's independence. Al-Sharaa, a former rebel commander who took power after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, was gifted two bottles of Trump's 'Victory 45-47' cologne during the meeting. Trump jokingly asked al-Sharaa how many wives he had, presenting one bottle for his wife.
In a video circulating online, Trump is seen spraying the cologne on al-Sharaa's neck and a member of the Syrian cabinet. The $249 'Victory 45-47' fragrance comes in a gold statuette-shaped bottle with Trump's signature. Trump humorously asked al-Sharaa about his number of wives, to which al-Sharaa replied, "One." Trump praised al-Sharaa as a strong leader and tough guy, acknowledging their shared difficult past.
Following the meeting, Trump shared photos of the encounter on Truth Social. The U.S. recently lifted sanctions on al-Sharaa's government, indicating a potential improvement in relations. Despite this, some of Trump's supporters criticized the visit, with Laura Loomer calling al-Sharaa the "ISIS 'President' of Syria." Trump expressed a commitment to supporting Syria's success in the Middle East, without specifying policy details.
Overall, the meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa at the White House symbolizes a significant diplomatic gesture towards Syria, signaling a potential shift in U.S.-Syria relations.