Historic Meeting Overshadowed by Awkward Exchange
In what should have been a landmark diplomatic moment, former US President Donald Trump made headlines for an eyebrow-raising joke directed at Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during their White House meeting this week. The encounter marked the first visit by a Syrian leader to the White House since the country gained independence in 1946, but the tone quickly shifted from historic to uncomfortable.
The Fragrance and the Question
The 79-year-old Trump immediately lowered the formal tone of the Oval Office meeting by presenting Sharaa with a bottle of his signature 'Trump Cologne' valued at $249 per bottle. In a moment captured on video, the American leader sprayed the fragrance directly onto Sharaa's beard while declaring, 'This is men's fragrance' and 'It's the best fragrance.'
The situation grew more awkward when Trump jokingly inquired about the Syrian leader's marital status. 'How many wives? One?' Trump asked, to which Sharaa affirmed he had one wife and laughed nervously. Undeterred, Trump added, 'With you guys, you never know!' while affectionately slapping his counterpart on the arm.
When Sharaa appeared to return the question, Trump responded with 'Uh, right now one,' in a reference to his own marital history. The exchange highlighted the stark contrast between the two leaders - one a former reality television star turned politician, the other a former al Qaeda commander turned statesman.
Complex Background of Syria's New Leader
The 43-year-old Sharaa carries significant baggage from his past. Until recently, he was sanctioned by Washington DC as a 'specially designated global terrorist' and once had a $10 million US bounty on his head. The Saudi-born leader joined the terror group in Iraq just before the US invasion in 2003, was captured by American forces, and spent five years imprisoned until 2011.
As an opponent of longtime Syrian president Assad, Sharaa launched an 11-day attack against his regime in November 2024 that triggered the government's collapse. When Assad fled to Russia, Sharaa assumed power and was officially appointed on January 29 this year.
Sharaa has described his wife, Latifa al-Droubi, 41, as a key support throughout the last decade. Since taking power, he has travelled extensively to portray himself as a moderate leader committed to unifying his war-ravaged nation and ending decades of international isolation.
Diplomatic Significance and Future Relations
The White House visit is expected to mark Syria joining the US-led coalition against the Islamic State group. Sharaa is also pushing for a full repeal of the Caesar Act, which imposed sweeping sanctions over human rights abuses by Assad's government. While the Caesar sanctions are currently waived by presidential order, a permanent repeal would require congressional approval.
Syria's Ministry of Information stated that Sharaa would 'emphasize the importance of lifting economic sanctions, particularly the Caesar Act, to allow for Syria's economic recovery and investment growth.' They added he would 'reaffirm Syria's commitment to continuing the fight against terrorism and promoting regional security.'
Trump previously met with Sharaa in Saudi Arabia in May, where he announced he would lift decades of sanctions, stating he wanted to give Syria 'a fighting shot' and that he thought the new leader was 'doing a very good job so far.' Speaking with reporters after their latest meeting, Trump praised Sharaa as a 'strong leader' and voiced confidence in him, saying 'We'll do everything we can to make Syria successful.'
However, Trump also acknowledged Sharaa's controversial past with the remark, 'We've all had rough pasts,' in what appeared to be an attempt to downplay the Syrian leader's terrorist background. The meeting's unusual protocol - with Sharaa entering through a side door rather than the main West Wing entrance typically used for foreign dignitaries - reflected the complicated nature of this new diplomatic relationship.
