Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has recently shared details of a gift he received from former US President Donald Trump, which has drawn considerable attention on social media. Al-Sharaa posted photos of the gifts, two bottles of Trump’s “Victory 47” cologne, accompanied by a note purportedly from Trump congratulating him and humouring about their past meeting.
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The announcement comes after al-Sharaa had previously received fragrances during a visit to the White House last autumn, marking a notable occasion as it was the first time a Syrian leader had visited since the country’s independence nearly 80 years ago. On 19 May, al-Sharaa described the new bottles as a “precious gift” and expressed gratitude through a post on X (formerly Twitter). He remarked, “Some meetings leave an impression; ours apparently left a fragrance,” in a light-hearted note about the gifts.
In a photograph shared by al-Sharaa, a note on White House stationery could be seen, which was believed to bear Trump’s signature. The note read: “Ahmed, they’re all talking about the picture we took when I gave you this great cologne — Just in case you ran out!” The White House has yet to issue a response to inquiries regarding the latest gift exchange.
During their initial meeting, the two leaders shared an amusing exchange about personal lives and cultural customs. Video footage captured during their encounter showed Trump playfully spraying cologne on both himself and al-Sharaa while inquiring about the number of wives each had. Turkey had anticipated a conflict of interest, given al-Sharaa’s controversial past with jihadist groups, but the atmosphere remained jovial throughout the encounter.
The colognes cost approximately £250 ($300) each, a significant price tag that reflects the branding associated with Trump’s entrepreneurial pursuits. The former President has leveraged his celebrity status into various business ventures, including fragrances, which he first introduced nearly two decades ago.
In a previous post on Truth Social, shortly after their meeting, Trump expressed that it had been an “honour” to engage with al-Sharaa. Trump noted in his post: “Everyone is talking about the Great Miracle that is taking place in the Middle East,” highlighting his view on the importance of stability in Syria for the broader region. This comment underscores the complexity of diplomatic relations in a region often rife with conflict.
Al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has a controversial history. He previously led Jabhat al-Nusra, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, and was placed on the US Specially Designated Global Terrorist list in 2013. This makes his current diplomatic engagements especially noteworthy, given his history of leading militant opposition to the Assad regime.
The dynamics between the United States and Syria have remained strained, yet the exchange of gifts and casual banter indicates a surprising level of diplomacy. Both leaders aim to project an image of mutual cooperation, even amid the backdrop of a complicated political landscape characterised by a history of hostility and conflict.
While the relationship between al-Sharaa and Trump appears to be unique, it has also raised eyebrows internationally. Observers are keenly interested in how these personal exchanges might shape future diplomatic relations, particularly regarding sanctions, military presence, and humanitarian aid efforts in Syria.