Donald Trump won’t wear bulletproof vest to avoid looking ‘20 pounds heavier’

WASHINGTON, DC: After an alleged assassination attempt on President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, April 25, Trump might soon have to wear bulletproof jacket. 

Cole Allen, 31, opened fire at the dinner hall in what is being described as an assassination attempt on President Trump, soon after he joined the guests for the annual gala.

Trump might not choose to wear a bulletproof vest

President Trump’s security measures are being reconsidered, with the administration also weighing a bulletproof vest. However, the president might not go with the option as he doesn’t want to look “20 pounds heavier.”

Trump, talking to reporters on Thursday, April 30, was asked by a reporter whether he would consider wearing a bulletproof jacket. To which he joked that he couldn’t handle looking 20 pounds heavier.

The reporter was inquiring about any planned security changes after the recent shooting, marking the third assassination attempt on Trump.

Replying to the question, Trump said, “I don't know if I can handle looking 20 pounds heavier.” The president’s witty response sparked laughter in the room. Trump took questions from reporters after signing an executive order at the Oval Office.

He went on to say, "I guess it's something you consider. In one way, you don't like to do it because you're giving in to a bad element. I don't know. But I have been asked about it."

Trump says thinking about shootings would make him ineffective

The president further said that he “doesn’t think” about attempts on his life because doing so, he thinks, would make him ineffective. “If I did, I wouldn't be effective."

While additional charges were announced to be slapped on the suspect shooter, he initially faced three charges, such as  attempted assassination of the president, transportation of a firearm with the intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.

This marks the third attempt on Trump’s life in the last two years. Earlier, Trump narrowly escaped a gunshot during a presidential campaign event in July 2024, when he sustained an ear injury.

WH considering bulletproof vest for Trump

The incident has prompted the White House administration to reconsider the president’s security measures. The administration is reportedly weighing the use of a bulletproof vest among other measures.

The discussions about whether “President Trump is going to start wearing a bulletproof vest for future events in public” are underway, said Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy on Sunday, April 26.

The shooting at the correspondents’ dinner, which occurred nearly 30 minutes after Donald Trump, accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, arrived for the annual gala, is an addition to the list of assassination attempts against Trump.