Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has publicly acknowledged receiving a second installment of luxury cologne from former US President Donald Trump, underscoring an unusual diplomatic gesture that first surfaced in November of the previous year. The gift, Trump's self-branded "Victory 47" fragrance, was accompanied by a handwritten note referencing an earlier Oval Office encounter. This exchange, involving the spraying of cologne on al-Sharaa and a jest about the number of wives he possesses, has become a recurring international talking point.
The incident involves the gifting of Trump's branded fragrance, 'Victory 47' cologne, to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which has resurfaced with a follow-up gift and a note. The latest development saw al-Sharaa posting on social media platform 'X' on Tuesday, May 19, thanking Trump and noting, "Some meetings leave an impression; ours apparently left a fragrance." This refers to the initial meeting last fall where Trump presented al-Sharaa with bottles of his cologne and a women's perfume, along with a note on White House stationery.
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The initial presentation of the cologne, which occurred during al-Sharaa's visit to Washington, involved Trump spraying the fragrance on both al-Sharaa and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. This was followed by Trump's question directed at al-Sharaa: "With you guys, I never know!" before jokingly asking, “How many wives?” Al-Sharaa reportedly responded with "just one," to which Trump quipped, “because I never know.” The exchange was captured on video and subsequently went viral, igniting global controversy and widespread commentary.
A Fragrant Diplomatic Encounter
The initial meeting in November 2025 marked Syria's first White House trip since 1946. Trump's decision to gift his branded perfume line, explicitly blending personal branding with diplomatic outreach, blurred lines for observers. The 'Victory 47' cologne, presented as a luxury item, instantly became a focal point, overshadowing other aspects of the diplomatic engagement, including Trump's invitation to Syria to join the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group.
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"Some meetings leave an impression; ours apparently left a fragrance."— Ahmed al-Sharaa, via X
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a figure described as a former North Syrian rebel leader and once placed on the U.S. Specially Designated Global Terrorist list in 2013, has appeared to embrace the unconventional gesture. Reports suggest he called the latest gift "precious" and expressed a desire for stronger ties between the U.S. and Syria. The follow-up note from Trump read: "Ahmed, They’re all talking about the picture we took when I gave you this great cologne — In case you ran out!"
Online Reactions and Wider Context
The "awkward perfume moment," as it has been widely dubbed, triggered a significant social media reaction. While some characterized the exchange as a reflection of Trump's "comedic timing" and "meta-humor," others viewed it critically. The incident occurred as the Trump administration announced an extension of its pause on sanctions against Syria for another 180 days. The convergence of personal branding, a politically charged diplomatic encounter, and an off-script jest has solidified the event as an enduring international talking point, mixing diplomacy with commercial enterprise and personal eccentricity.
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