US President Donald Trump had a memorable meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, which has since gone viral online. This historic visit marks the first time a Syrian leader has come to the US since the country gained independence in 1946. During the meeting, Trump presented al-Sharaa with a bottle of his perfume, jokingly asking, "How many wives do you have?" Al-Sharaa, taken aback, replied, "One," leading to laughter among those present. Trump then quipped, "With you guys, I never know."

The meeting took place against the backdrop of a significant shift in US-Syria relations, as the US has extended a pause on sanctions against Syria for another 180 days. This pause comes as al-Sharaa has agreed to join the fight against the Islamic State, a move that was confirmed by a US official. Trump praised al-Sharaa's leadership, stating, "He comes from a very tough place, and he’s a tough guy. I like him."

Al-Sharaa, who was once a commander with al-Qaeda and had a $10 million bounty on his head, came to power after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. During their discussions, al-Sharaa presented Trump with replicas of ancient Syrian artifacts, highlighting Syria's rich history.

After the meeting, Trump took to social media to express his appreciation for al-Sharaa's efforts in promoting peace in the Middle East. He stated, "It was an honor to spend time with Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, the new President of Syria, where we discussed all the intricacies of PEACE in the Middle East, of which he is a major advocate."

The light-hearted moment between the two leaders has sparked discussions online, with some netizens drawing comparisons to how Trump might interact with other world leaders. Overall, the meeting signifies a potential thaw in relations between the US and Syria, with both leaders expressing a desire for stability in the region.