Trump reveals why he didn’t want to wear a bulletproof vest at White House Correspondents' Dinner
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump mixed humor with references to security during his speech at the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner on Friday, July 24, joking that he did not want to wear a bulletproof vest because it would make him look heavier.
His remarks came months after the first dinner was interrupted by a shooting incident, prompting heightened security at the rescheduled event.
Trump: Everyone's looking really good tonight, and I know it was not easy finding shoes to go along with your bulletproof vests, which many people didn't want to wear because they'd rather die than look 20 pounds heavier. pic.twitter.com/SlhhgpmNo2
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 25, 2026
Trump jokes about wearing a bulletproof vest
Trump began by acknowledging the heightened security surrounding the event before turning the moment into a joke.
"Everyone’s looking really good tonight, and I know it was not easy finding shoes to go along with your bulletproof vest, which many people didn’t want to wear because they’d rather die than look 20 pounds heavier," he told the audience.
The 80-year-old then claimed that members of his security detail insisted that he wear one as well.
Trump said "they," appearing to refer to the Secret Service, put a bulletproof vest on him before the event.
"I said, 'Are you sure? I'm not wearing this,'" Trump recalled.
According to the president, the response from his security team only made him more reluctant.
"They say, 'Sir, it's about 21 pounds.' I said, 'Not good,'" he added, drawing laughs from the crowd.
Trump revisits April's White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting scare
Trump also looked back at the dramatic events that disrupted the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April, when guests at the Washington Hilton took cover under tables after gunshots were heard outside the ballroom.
Instead of treating the incident solemnly, the president turned it into another punchline during his speech.
"After hearing the gunshots, many people yelled, 'Get down! Get down!' which caused Nicki Minaj to start twerking. Do you believe it? Get down!" Trump joked.
He followed it up with another quip, adding, "She's the only one that really understood what that meant."
Trump also added a third-term quip, saying, “Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. It’s always better. And the third time will be better yet.” “I’m only kidding,” he added.
