By : JD staff
Jordan Daily – A 45-storey skyscraper branded with “Trump” in gold could rise in the Syrian capital, part of a bold plan to rebrand war-scarred Damascus and normalize ties with Washington following the lifting of U.S. sanctions,The Guardian reported.
Trump Tower Damascus is being developed by UAE-based Tiger Group, led by Walid Mohammad al-Zoubi, who described the $100m-$200m project as a “message” of peace. “This country, which has suffered and whose people have been exhausted… deserves to take a step towards peace,” he said.
The tower, still pending building permits and Trump Organization franchise rights, is the centerpiece of Syria’s charm offensive aimed at U.S. President Donald Trump. Syria’s new Islamist-led government, which replaced Bashar al-Assad in December, is seeking to attract U.S. investment and diplomatic favor.
The project follows Washington’s unexpected decision last week to lift decades-old sanctions. Trump, after meeting Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa, called him an “attractive” and “tough” man.
Zoubi, who also leads the $1bn Tiger Sky Tower in Dubai, plans to visit Damascus this week to formalize the building application. He said the number of floors could vary, and construction would take three years after approvals.
Though the Trump name does not yet appear on mock-ups, Zoubi said franchising discussions with the Trump Organization would follow.
The idea for the tower originated in December, when U.S. Republican congressman Joe Wilson floated it in Congress. Radwan Ziadeh, a Syrian writer close to Sharaa, then partnered with Zoubi to pitch the proposal to Syrian and Saudi officials.
“This is how you win his mind and heart,” Ziadeh said of Trump.
The move was part of a broader strategy that included hosting U.S. lawmakers and business figures in Syria and meeting Trump-aligned religious leaders.
While the flashy project is symbolic, Syria’s needs remain dire. According to the UN, 90% of Syrians live in poverty, with limited access to electricity and healthcare.
Zoubi contrasted a photo of a bombed-out skyline with one of the proposed high-rise. “The project is about how the wartorn country is transitioning to a place of light and beauty,” he said. “It’s symbolic, contributing to security and peace.”
