During a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House on March 2, sharp-eyed viewers noticed something new: a visible red rash with scabbing on the right side of President Donald Trump’s neck. Now, the White House doctor, who hails from Maryland is speaking out.
Photos from the event show irritation running from behind his ear toward the back of his hairline. And naturally, within hours, the internet did what the internet does best: speculate wildly.
Maryland doctor Sean Barbabella, the White House physician, stepped in to cool things down. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, he clarified, “President Trump is using a very common cream on the right side of his neck, which is a preventative skin treatment, prescribed by the White House Doctor.”
Donald Trump Nasty Neck Rash Raises Eyebrows
So, not a mystery ailment. Not some dramatic health bombshell. Just a prescribed topical treatment. Still, Barbabella added that “The president is using this treatment for one week, and the redness is expected to last for a few weeks.” He didn’t elaborate on what prompted the cream in the first place, which, of course, leaves room for curiosity.
If you’ve been following along for the past year, you know this isn’t the first time visible skin issues have sparked conversation around the 79-year-old president. For months now, Trump has been photographed with noticeable bruising on the back of his right hand. Sometimes it’s faintly covered with makeup. Other times? It’s unmistakably there.
Back in February, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a straightforward explanation, saying, “President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.”
She doubled down, adding, “President Trump is a man of the people. His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day.” That explanation initially seemed to put the matter to rest. But the conversation flared up again in July 2025 when Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which caused swelling in his legs.
This Isn’t The First Time Trump’s Health Has Made Headlines
At that time, Dr. Barbabella elaborated further, explaining the bruising was “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
Trump himself has addressed the aspirin angle. In a January profile with The Wall Street Journal titled As Signs of Aging Emerge, Trump Responds With Defiance, he acknowledged taking 325mg of aspirin daily — notably higher than the commonly recommended 81mg for heart health.
“They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” Trump said. “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?” Whether that dosage contributes to easier bruising is part of the broader medical context already discussed by his physician.
The Internet Reactions Pile Up
Of course, no public appearance goes unnoticed in 2026. Online commentary has ranged from concerned to cutting. One person wrote, “The internal corruption is showing up on the outside.” Another urged, “He needs to keep that covered up and stay away from people!” A third chimed in bluntly, “He’s an old man. The cracks are showing.”
It’s worth noting that public figures especially presidents, have always faced scrutiny over visible signs of aging. In today’s hyper-documented era, every bruise, every rash, every patch of makeup becomes a trending topic.
Who Is Dr. Sean Barbabella?
The White House doctor, Capt. Sean Barbabella, DO, is a Navy man who “specializes in emergency and tactical medicine and has completed several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan,” per Osteopathic.org. The Maryland doctor is expected to tend to President Donald Trump at the White House until his term is up.
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