U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly stated he is reluctant to adopt a bulletproof vest for personal protection, even after a third alleged assassination plot targeting him in just two years, citing concerns that the bulky protective gear would add unnecessary visual bulk to his frame.
During a press question-and-answer session Thursday, the 79-year-old Republican leader addressed growing speculation that the U.S. Secret Service had begun considering mandatory protective vest use following the foiled attack at a Washington D.C. gala over the weekend. When asked about internal discussions on the policy change, Trump told reporters: “I don’t know if I can handle looking 20 pounds heavier.”
The latest alleged assassination attempt unfolded Saturday night at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner held at the Washington Hilton hotel. Authorities confirm a male suspect was taken into custody before he could reach the event’s main ballroom, where Trump was in attendance, after Secret Service agents quickly intervened to tackle the would-be attacker. The suspect now faces formal charges related to the plot.
This foiled attempt marks the third time Trump has been targeted for assassination since 2023. The most severe incident occurred during a 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman struck Trump in the ear with a bullet and killed one member of the attending audience. Trump survived the attack and went on to win his second presidential term later that year.
Long known for his intense sensitivity around public perceptions of his appearance, Trump’s weight has long been a topic of public discussion. Though he has slimmed down since taking office for his second term, the president — who has openly described himself as a fast food enthusiast — recorded a weight of 224 pounds (around 101.6 kilograms) during his most recent full annual medical examination in April 2025. That marked a 19-pound drop from his recorded weight in 2019, during his first term in office.
Beyond appearance concerns, Trump also framed his reluctance around a broader ideological perspective, noting that agreeing to regular bulletproof vest use could be seen as giving in to dangerous extremist elements that oppose his presidency. “I guess it’s something you consider,” he said of the proposal. “In one way, you don’t like to do it because you’re giving in to a bad element. And so, I don’t know. But I have been asked about it.”