White House: Here's Why Trump's Neck Was Red

Redness was caused by 'very common skin cream,' president's doctor says
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 2, 2026 5:00 PM CST
White House Explains Redness on Trump's Neck
President Trump leaves following a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House, Monday, March 2, 2026.   (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The White House on Monday attributed a large red spot on President Trump's neck to a skin cream he is using, without elaborating on what condition it is treating. The redness drew widespread attention Monday, when news photographers captured close-up images of the president's neck during a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House, the AP reports. "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," Sean Barbabella, the president's doctor, said in a statement. "The President is using this treatment for one week, and the redness is expected to last for a few weeks."

The White House did not immediately respond to follow-up questions, such as what the cream is, when Trump began the treatment and what condition it is supposed to prevent. Zoomed-in photos from at least as far back as Trump's visit to Rome, Georgia, on Feb. 19 show visible redness on the president's neck. The president's medical report from his April 2025 physical noted that he was taking mometasone cream "as needed" for an unspecified skin condition. Trump, 79, became the oldest president to have taken the oath of office when he was sworn in last January. In particular because of his advanced age, Trump's health is closely scrutinized.

Barbabella said in December that Trump had MRI imaging on his heart and abdomen in October as part of preventive screening for men his age, with the results being "perfectly normal." That October physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center found that Trump is in overall "exceptional health," according to Barbabella. Frequent bruising on the back of both of Trump's hands has also raised questions about his health, CNN reports. He says they are caused by frequent handshaking, and by taking more than the recommended daily dose of aspirin.

Read These Next
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X
More News: World | Sports | News | Entertainment | Health