Trump Shrugs Off Bulletproof Vest Idea After Arrested Gunman, Praises Agent’s Body Armor

President Donald Trump appeared to downplay the idea of wearing a bulletproof vest after a recent string of assassination attempts, while confirming he had been asked to consider protective body armor, NewsNation reported.

White House correspondent Libbey Dean asked whether there had been discussions about the president wearing protective gear in light of the attempts on his life. Trump answered with a light-hearted remark about appearance:

“I don’t know if I could handle looking 20 pounds heavier,”

What Happened

Authorities say a gunman recently tried to enter the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with the apparent intention of shooting the president. During that incident, a Secret Service agent was shot; the agent’s bulletproof vest stopped the round, and officials said the agent declined immediate hospital care.

Campaign Violence and Security Concerns

Trump also faced two assassination attempts while campaigning ahead of the 2024 election. In discussing those incidents, he praised the protective gear worn by the agent involved in the most recent event:

“The vest did an amazing job, it took the bullet close up, and he didn’t even want to go to the hospital.”

On whether he would adopt similar protection, Trump said:

“I’ve been asked about that, and I guess it’s something to consider. In a way, you don’t like to do it, because you’re giving into a bad element.”

When pressed about the risk of another attempt, Trump said he does not dwell on it:

“I don’t think about it. And if I did, I wouldn’t be doing a very good job here; I’d be thinking about nothing but that.”

Officials continue to review security measures. The president’s remarks underscored a tension between personal visibility and added protection amid ongoing threats.