A meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa took a highly unusual and public turn, creating an unexpected diplomatic spectacle that is now circulating widely online.
Unconventional Diplomacy on Display
The incident occurred on Monday at the White House, where Trump proudly presented a bottle of men's fragrance during the encounter. In a video that has since gone viral across social media platforms, the former president first spritzed himself with the cologne before turning to spray his Syrian counterpart directly.
Trump then proceeded to spray other men nearby, declaring the product to be "the best fragrance" available. Handing the bottle to President al-Sharaa, Trump made a remark about giving another bottle "for your wife" before posing an awkward personal question.
The Controversial Exchange
"How many wives?" Trump asked while laughing during the exchange. Following what appeared to be a response indicating one wife, Trump added: "With you guys you never know, right?" The comment was accompanied by a slap on al-Sharaa's shoulder.
While the exact brand of fragrance remains unclear, evidence suggests it was one of Trump's own branded colognes, which currently retail online for prices reaching $249 per bottle.
Background and Implications
The meeting carried significant geopolitical weight given al-Sharaa's background and recent political developments in Syria. Ahmed al-Sharaa was appointed Syria's president in January following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, which ended the Assad family's 54-year rule over the country.
Also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the Syrian leader has documented ties to Al Qaeda and previously joined insurgents who fought against U.S. forces in Iraq. This context makes the informal nature of the exchange particularly noteworthy from a diplomatic perspective.
The viral video has sparked discussions about diplomatic protocol and cross-cultural sensitivity in international relations, especially given the significant power dynamics and historical tensions between the involved nations.
