President Donald Trump on Thursday dismissed the idea of wearing a bulletproof vest, joking that it would make him look “20 pounds heavier.” The remarks came during an Oval Office ceremony where he signed an executive order creating a new retirement account for workers without access to a 401(k).
Core Facts:
- Trump joked about the weight gain from wearing a bulletproof vest, saying, “Some of these guys are physical specimens. If you want to gain 20 to 25 pounds, get a vest.”
- He also stated he does not worry about assassination attempts, saying, “I don’t think about it. If I did, I wouldn’t be effective.”
Deeper Dive & Context:
Security Concerns:
Trump was asked about security changes following the April 24 shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, which prosecutors say was a third assassination attempt against him. He was also asked if he was nervous about another attempt, given he has survived two previous attempts. Trump responded, “I don’t think about it. If I did, I wouldn’t be doing a very good job here.”
Political Reactions:
Some officials and lawmakers present for the executive order signing laughed at Trump’s remarks about the bulletproof vest. The president also noted that wearing one would be “giving in to a bad element.”
Policy Implications:
The executive order signed during the ceremony focuses on expanding retirement savings options for workers without employer-sponsored plans, a policy separate from the security discussion. The signing ceremony was attended by administration officials and lawmakers.
Opposing Views:
No direct opposing views were presented in the sources, though the tone of Trump’s remarks suggests a dismissive attitude toward heightened security measures.