Featured Image Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images / Mert Gokhan Koc/ Getty Images
Topics: US News, World News, Social Media, Donald Trump, Politics, Crime
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: US News, World News, Social Media, Donald Trump, Politics, Crime
US president Donald Trump has once again left the world extremely confused after making a seriously bizarre comment about the Syrian president.
Trump met with Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (14 May) ahead of a summit between the US and Gulf Arab countries.
This was the the first meeting between leaders of the two nations in 25 years, despite the fact that al-Sharaa - who was named president of Syria in January - was a one-time insurgent leader who spent years imprisoned by US forces after being captured in Iraq.
Formerly known as Abu Mohammed al Jolani, al-Sharaa joined al Qaeda insurgents battling US forces in Iraq and still faces a warrant for his arrest on terrorism charges in that country.
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Additionally, the States once offered $10 million for information about his whereabouts because of his links to al Qaeda.
Speaking to Sky News, Trump was asked: "How did you find the Syrian president?"
"I think very good," the 78-year-old Republican responded, before oddly describing al-Sharaa - who, as we say, once pledged allegiance to al Qaeda and swept to power at the head of a group that Washington has called a 'terrorist organisation' - as a 'young, attractive guy,' adding that he was a 'tough guy'.
He continued: "Strong past, very strong past, fighter. He's got a real shot at pulling it together."
After catching light of Trump's comments about al-Sharaa, many rushed to social media to share their outrage.
One X user penned: "'Attractive' guy. Top criteria to be a leader!"
"Surprising words from Trump - didn't expect that praise for al-Sharaa!" quipped a second while a third slammed: "Disgrace."
A fourth chimed in: "'Young attractive guy' - what the actual F. This may or may not be accurate but is it really the level of stupidity of the POTUS."
"Why does Trump always make such superficial comments about their looks," asked another. "Everyone is always so beautiful."
"Praising a terrorist, very shameful," condemned one user, while another lamented: "So attractive that there was just a $10 million bounty on his head couple months ago… what a circus."
"Young, attractive, strong past??? Yeah I guess so. What a resume [...] Disgusting," fumed a final X user.
According to a post on X uploaded by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier today (14 May), Trump 'told President Al-Sharaa that he has a tremendous opportunity to do something historic in his country'.
Leavitt added: "President Trump encouraged President Al-Sharaa to do a great job for the Syrian people, and urged him to:
"1. Sign onto the Abraham Accords with Israel
"2. Tell all foreign terrorists to leave Syria
"3. Deport Palestinian terrorists
"4. Help the United States to prevent the resurgence of ISIS
"5. Assume responsibility for ISIS detention centers in Northeast Syria."
The statement concluded: "President Al-Sharaa concluded with his hope that Syria would serve as a critical link in facilitating trade between east and west, and invited American companies to invest in Syrian oil and gas."