“Trump Meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at White House Amid Controversy”
Story: written by Myra November 11,2025
President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, marking the first-ever visit by a Syrian leader to the U.S. presidential residence. The meeting was held behind closed doors, with no press or cameras allowed.
Al-Sharaa, 43, previously a former al-Qaeda leader with a $10 million U.S. bounty until December 2024, served time in Iraq’s infamous Abu Ghraib prison. Analysts note that his visit to Washington follows his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, signaling his shift from jihadist figure to recognized international statesman.
Ahead of the meeting, the U.S. lifted sanctions and removed terrorist designations against Al-Sharaa and Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab. Trump described Al-Sharaa positively, calling him a “young, attractive guy” with a “very strong past” after their encounter in May during Trump’s Middle East tour. Following the meeting, the U.S. eased some sanctions on Syria.
Al-Sharaa assumed Syria’s transitional presidency in January after opposition forces forced former President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia.
