Why US President Donald Trump says he won’t wear bulletproof vest after assassination attempt

Donald Trump has brushed off a recent alleged assassination attempt by joking he would avoid wearing a bulletproof vest because it would make him look heavier.

The US President was the alleged target of 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last Saturday while heavily armed.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Mr Trump laughed off questions about increasing his personal protection.

“I don’t know if I could handle looking 20 pounds heavier,” he said when asked if he would consider wearing a bulletproof vest.

The remark drew laughter from those in the room, with the US President adding: “Some of these guys are physical specimens…” before his comment was drowned out by reporters laughing.

Mr Trump then want on to praise the law enforcement officer who was shot at. “He didn’t even want to go to hospital. The vest totally protected him. Still a lot of power behind that shot... it’s like getting hit by Mike Tyson.”

He then changed his tone to a bit more serious. “I’ve been asked about that (wearing a vest) and I guess it’s something you consider. In one way you don’t like to do it as you’re giving into a bad element.

When asked about the number of times he’s been shot at and if he’s nervous about future attacks, Mr Trump continued: “I don’t think about it. If I did I wouldn’t be doing a very good job.”

Mr Trump made the comments while signing a series of executive orders, shortly after farewelling King Charles and Queen Camilla following their official visit to Washington.

Prosecutors allege Allen arrived at the Washington Hilton armed with multiple weapons, including a shotgun, handgun, knives and ammunition.

A photo released by authorities shows the suspect posing in a hotel mirror wearing a black outfit and red tie, with weapons strapped to his body.

Authorities say he also carried wire cutters, pliers and additional knives.

Allen was arrested before reaching the main event space and has since been charged with attempting to assassinate the President, along with firearms and assault offences.

Mr Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were escorted out of the dinner after shots were fired, with guests forced to take cover as Secret Service agents secured the area.

Only one law enforcement officer was injured during the incident, reportedly saved from serious harm when a bullet struck his phone and his vest.

At a press conference afterwards, Mr Trump described the suspect as a “would-be assassin” and confirmed he had been heavily armed and wearing protective gear.

“It’s always shocking when something like this happens,” Mr Trump said.

“The fact that we were sitting next to each other, the First Lady on my right, and I heard a noise.”

He said his initial reaction was to dismiss the sound as something minor.

He later revealed Melania was the first to suspect it may have been gunfire.

Investigators allege Allen had written a manifesto outlining his plans, referring to himself as the “Friendly Federal Assassin” and apologising in advance to those affected.

“I apologise to everyone….who suffered before I was able to attempt this, to all who may still suffer after, regardless of my success or failure,” he allegedly wrote.

“Administration officials (not including FBI Director Kash Patel): they are targets, prioritised from highest-ranking to lowest”.

“Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I’m not the person raped in a detention camp. I’m not the fisherman executed without trial.

“Turning the other cheek when someone else is oppressed is not Christian behaviour; it is complicity in the oppressor’s crimes.”

He added, “I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.”

Perhaps most striking were his claims about how easily he was able to enter the hotel armed.

“Like, the one thing that I immediately noticed walking into the hotel is the sense of arrogance. I walk in with multiple weapons and not a single person there considers the possibility that I could be a threat,” he wrote.

He criticised what he described as gaps in security, adding: “The security at the event is all outside … because apparently no one thought about what happens if someone checks in the day before.”

Police were first alerted to the writings by Allen’s brother.

He could face life in prison if convicted.