U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
President Donald Trump was photographed from the side during a medal ceremony on Monday, showing a large red mark that some observers said looked like a rash of some kind.
The redness was so noticeable that the word "shingles" was number one in the X trends in the News section mere moments after his speech.
"President Trump is using a very common cream on the right side of his neck, which is a preventive skin treatment, prescribed by the White House Doctor. The President is using this treatment for one week, and the redness is expected to last for a few weeks," the statement from Dr. Sean Barbella, Trump's doctor, said in a statement, according to CBS News.
It didn't stop speculation and mockery online, with some claiming it was a disease Trump picked up on trafficker Jeffrey Epstein's island, others questioning if it was syphilis, scurvy, or even leprosy.
"Statement from Trump's physician on the rash on the side of the president's neck (as photographed from the Medal of Honor ceremony today) ... The question now is what exactly is this a preventative for? And why does the president need this treatment?" questioned CNN reporter Alayna Treene.
"The man is molting right in front of a media that fully ignores it," complained Tara Dublin, sometimes host at SiriusXMProgress.
"Bruising on his hands, swollen ankles, rashes on his neck… it’s getting bad," commented activist Harry Sisson.
"Sending all possible love and support to this rash," quipped Evan DeSimone, content creator for TubeFilter.
