United States President Donald Trump has said he is reluctant to wear a bulletproof vest despite security concerns, citing worries about how it could affect his appearance.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump acknowledged that the option had been discussed following recent threats but indicated he was not inclined to adopt the protective measure.
“I don’t know if I can handle looking 20 pounds heavier,” he said when asked whether he would consider wearing a vest.
According to reports in U.S. media, the proposal gained attention after the latest alleged assassination attempt targeting the 79-year-old president during a gala event in Washington over the weekend.
Trump confirmed that the idea had been raised but expressed mixed feelings about it.
“I’ve been asked about that. 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. And so, I don’t know. But I have been asked about it,” he added.
Authorities have since charged a suspect in connection with the incident, which occurred at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner held at the Washington Hilton hotel. U.S. Secret Service agents reportedly subdued the individual before he could access the ballroom where the event was taking place.
The incident marks the third reported attempt on Trump’s life within a two-year period.
The most serious occurred during a 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he sustained an ear injury in a shooting that also claimed the life of an attendee.
Trump, a former reality television figure, has long been known for his attention to personal appearance.
While his weight has been a subject of public discussion, recent records indicate he has slimmed down during his current term in office.
Medical data from April 2025 placed his weight at 224 pounds (101.6 kilograms), reflecting a reduction from 243 pounds recorded in 2019.
