US President Donald Trump welcomed Syrian President Ahmad Al Sharaa to the White House, marking the first visit by a Syrian leader since 1946.
Experts said the meeting opened a new chapter in US-Syria relations as both leaders discussed working together for regional peace and counterterrorism.
The meeting began with a surprising gesture when President Trump personally gifted his guest a bottle of his own Trump brand fragrance.
“This is men’s fragrance,” Trump said, as he sprayed $249/bottle ‘Trump Cologne’ on President Al Sharaa and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani. Trump added, “It’s the best fragrance,” explaining that one bottle was “for Al Sharaa and one for his wife.”
During a light moment that made everyone laugh, President Trump jokingly asked, “How many wives? One?” to which President Sharaa replied yes.
Trump then added with a smile, “With you guys, I never know!” Sharaa playfully asked the same question back, and Trump responded, “Right now, one.”
Observers saw this friendly exchange as a sign of relaxed diplomacy — a different tone from Trump’s usual tense interactions with other world leaders, like President Zelensky.
President Sharaa, 43, arrived with replicas of ancient Syrian artifacts, including the first alphabet in history, the first seal, a musical note, and the world’s first customs tariff.
These items highlighted Syria’s deep and rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years.
During the meeting, both leaders discussed Syria’s plan to join the coalition against ISIS and its efforts to end years of international isolation.
President Trump praised Sharaa as a “strong leader” and assured him of US support, saying, “We’ll do everything we can to make Syria successful.”
Recognizing Sharaa’s difficult past, Trump added with a smile, “We’ve all had rough pasts.”
The visit showed a move toward practical cooperation, as both countries expressed readiness to rebuild relations and work together against common threats.
