Trump meets Syrian leader al-Sharaa in historic White House visit, suspends sanctions, and gifts cologne amid diplomatic controversy.

On November 12, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in a historic White House visit, the first by a Syrian leader since 1946. The informal meeting included Trump joking about al-Sharaa’s number of wives and gifting him a bottle of his branded cologne, which he sprayed on al-Sharaa and others. The encounter coincided with a 180-day suspension of U.S. sanctions on Syria, though full repeal requires congressional action. Al-Sharaa, a former militant leader once designated a global terrorist, is now seeking international legitimacy for his government, which has pledged to join the anti-ISIS coalition. The event drew widespread attention and criticism over diplomatic norms, with analysts noting the symbolic nature of the gesture amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.