Trump Explains His Reluctance to Wear Bulletproof Vest Following Recent Security Incidents

Following a series of security threats, President Donald Trump has opened up about his decision not to don a bulletproof vest for personal protection.

The 79-year-old commander-in-chief and First Lady Melania Trump were evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Dinner last weekend when a gunman allegedly entered the ballroom at the Washington Hilton. The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Allen, now faces charges related to an attempted assassination.

Trump's history with security threats extends back to 2024, when he sustained a gunshot wound to the ear during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania. Months later in September, he was moved to safety from a golf course following a reported threat assessment.

When pressed by NewsNation White House correspondent Libbey Dean on Thursday about adopting protective gear, Trump offered a candid response. "I don't know if I can handle looking 20 pounds heavier," he stated. He further elaborated on the physical demands of wearing such equipment, noting concerns about proximity to his security detail. "Some of these guys are physical specimens. Some of these guys travel. I don't want to be near them."

While acknowledging that he has received recommendations to wear a vest, Trump expressed philosophical reservations about the decision. "I guess it's something you consider," he said. "In one way you don't like to do it because you're giving into a bad element."

The president emphasized that preoccupation with security threats would undermine his effectiveness in office. "I don't think about it," Trump stated. "If I did, I wouldn't be doing a very good job here. If I did, I wouldn't be effective."