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In Oval Office, Trump Sprays Syrian Leader With His Cologne and Asks About Wives

The episode turned a high-profile visit by Syria’s new president into a test of protocol versus presidential branding.

Overview

  • A short video shows Trump applying his Victory 45-47 fragrance, spraying Ahmad al-Chareh on the neck, then handing him the bottle.
  • Trump pointed to a second bottle “for your wife” and asked in French how many wives he had, prompting al-Chareh to reply “One!” with a laugh.
  • The clip circulated widely on Nov. 12–13, drawing praise from supporters who called it humor and criticism from observers who saw a breach of decorum.
  • Vice-President J.D. Vance highlighted the moment at a conference hosted by Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr., laughing and praising Trump’s “comedic timing.”
  • The meeting was the first visit to Washington by a Syrian head of state since 1946, and al-Chareh rose to power after Bashar al-Assad’s fall in December 2024.