‘Some Meetings Leave an Impression; Ours Apparently Left a Fragrance’ – Syrian President Thanks Trump for Restocking Cologne
Ahmed al-Sharaa publicly acknowledges receipt of “Victory 47” cologne refill as Trump sends playful note referencing their viral White House encounter
DAMASCUS / WASHINGTON — Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa publicly thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday for sending him additional bottles of Trump-branded cologne, a follow-up gift to the original fragrances exchanged during Sharaa’s historic White House visit in November 2025 .
“Some meetings leave an impression; ours apparently left a fragrance,” Sharaa wrote in a post on X, alongside a photograph of two golden Trump “Victory 47” cologne bottles . “Thank you, Mr. President, for your generosity and for topping up this precious gift. May the spirit of that meeting continue to shape a stronger relationship between Syria and the United States.”
The gift was accompanied by a handwritten note from Trump on White House stationery, addressing Sharaa by his first name: “Ahmed, They’re all talking about the picture we took when I gave you this great cologne — Just in case you ran out!” .
The Background: A Historic First Meeting
The original gift exchange occurred on November 10, 2025, during Sharaa’s Oval Office visit—the first time a Syrian head of state had set foot in the White House since Syria gained independence from France in 1946 . The meeting marked a dramatic turnaround in U.S.-Syrian relations, coming just months after the United States lifted sanctions imposed during the Bashar al-Assad era and removed a $10 million bounty that had been placed on Sharaa’s head .
During that encounter, Trump sprayed Sharaa with Trump-branded cologne, telling him: “It’s the best fragrance” . He then handed Sharaa a second bottle, explaining it was for the Syrian leader’s wife. Trump followed up with a now-famous question: “How many wives? One?” When Sharaa confirmed he had only one wife, Trump playfully responded, “With you guys, I never know,” before affectionately slapping the Syrian president’s shoulder .
Sharaa—who once led an Al-Qaeda affiliate and fought against American forces in Iraq before transitioning to lead the rebellion that toppled Bashar al-Assad in December 2024—reportedly took the exchange in good humor .
The Gift: Trump’s ‘Victory 47’ Fragrance
The cologne in question, Trump Victory 47, is part of the former president’s fragrance line, which sells for $249 per bottle on the getrumpfragrances.com website . The bottles feature miniature gold statues of Trump and replicas of his signature.
Critics have offered mixed reviews of the scent, with Fragrantica users describing it as having a “bold and unapologetic masculine character” while others dismissed it as smelling like a “generic drugstore cheapie” .
Trump’s decision to restock Sharaa’s supply six months after the initial gift—and to include a follow-up note referencing the public fascination with their original exchange—suggests an ongoing personal rapport between the two leaders that extends beyond their official diplomatic engagement .
Diplomatic Context: Syria’s Post-Assad Realignment
The fragrance exchange comes amid Syria’s ongoing reintegration into the international community following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Sharaa, who was named interim leader in January 2025, has been working to reshape Syria’s image after decades of Assad family rule .
During the November 2025 White House visit, Syria formally confirmed it would join the U.S.-led global coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group, becoming its 90th member . Sharaa also presented Trump with replicas of ancient Syrian artifacts, including what he described as the first alphabet in history, the first seal, a musical note, and the world’s first customs tariff .
Trump, for his part, has described Sharaa positively, calling him a “young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past, very strong past. Fighter” during their first meeting in Saudi Arabia in May 2025 .
Social Media Reaction: ‘The Picture We Took’
The public acknowledgment of Trump’s follow-up gift has generated considerable attention on social media, where users have noted the unusual nature of diplomatic gift-giving between the two leaders. The photograph Trump referenced in his note—showing him spraying Sharaa with cologne in the Oval Office—became a viral sensation when it was first shared in November 2025 .
Sharaa’s public expression of gratitude—and his poetic framing of the exchange (“some meetings leave an impression; ours apparently left a fragrance”)—suggests both leaders recognize the value of the personal connection as a backdrop to their broader strategic alignment.
What This Means for U.S.-Syria Relations
While the cologne exchange may appear lighthearted, it underscores the depth of the relationship that has developed between the two leaders since Syria’s political transformation. The Trump administration’s decision to lift sanctions and remove Sharaa from terrorist lists represented a significant policy shift, and the ongoing personal rapport between the two presidents may help solidify that realignment.
The gift also highlights Trump’s distinctive approach to personal diplomacy, often relying on informal, gesture-based interactions—such as sharing branded merchandise—to build rapport with foreign leaders.
For now, Sharaa has his cologne restocked, and the “fragrance” of their November 2025 meeting continues to linger over U.S.-Syrian relations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why did President Trump send cologne to Syria’s president?
A: Trump sent additional bottles of his Trump-branded cologne to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as a follow-up gift to the fragrances they exchanged during Sharaa’s historic White House visit in November 2025. Trump included a note saying, “Just in case you ran out!”
Q2: What kind of cologne did Trump send?
A: Trump sent bottles of “Victory 47” cologne, a Trump-branded fragrance that sells for $249 per bottle. The bottles feature miniature gold statues of Trump.
Q3: Did Sharaa visit the White House?
A: Yes. Sharaa visited the White House on November 10, 2025—the first visit by a Syrian head of state since 1946. During that meeting, Trump sprayed him with the cologne and famously asked, “How many wives do you have?”
Q4: Who is Ahmed al-Sharaa?
A: Sharaa is Syria’s interim president, having led the rebel forces that toppled Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. He once led an Al-Qaeda affiliate and had a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head before sanctions were lifted.
Q5: What did Sharaa say in response to Trump’s gift?
A: Sharaa posted on X: “Some meetings leave an impression; ours apparently left a fragrance. Thank you, Mr. President, for your generosity and for topping up this precious gift.”
Q6: Is Syria now allied with the United States?
A: During Sharaa’s November 2025 White House visit, Syria formally joined the U.S.-led global coalition fighting the Islamic State (IS) group, becoming its 90th member. The U.S. has also lifted sanctions imposed during the Assad era.
This is a developing story. Reflecto News will continue to provide updates on U.S.-Syria relations as the diplomatic realignment continues.