What to Know
Even after three assassination attempts, President Donald Trump isn’t losing his sense of humor. During a press conference on Thursday, NewsNation’s White House correspondent Libbey Dean asked the 79-year-old president if there was discussion about him “potentially wearing a bullet-proof vest moving forward.”
Trump responded, “I don’t know if I can handle looking 20 pounds heavier,” drawing laughter from those in the room. “If you want to gain 20 to 25 pounds, get a West vest,” he added.
His comments came five days after a Secret Service agent was shot during an assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25. Trump was rushed from the room during the incident.
The U.S. Department of Justice identified Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, as the suspect. Allen has been charged with attempt to assassinate the President of the United States, transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
While Trump isn’t eager to wear a vest himself, he was quick to praise the gear that saved his agent’s life. “Frankly, the vest did an amazing job because it took a bullet close up,” Trump noted, adding that the agent was so tough he “didn’t even want to go to the hospital.” He compared the impact of a bullet hitting body armor to “getting hit by Mike Tyson.”
The April 25 incident marks the third assassination attempt on the former “Apprentice” star’s life. The first occurred during his campaign for a second presidential term at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was identified as the shooter and was killed. One spectator died and two others were injured and hospitalized. Meanwhile, Trump’s ear was struck by the bullet, but moments later, he reassured audiences he was OK by standing up with blood visible on his face, raising his fist, and shouting “Fight!”
The second attempt took place at Trump’s Florida golf club in September 2024. Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested after fleeing Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Prosecutors said Routh wrote a handwritten letter addressed to “The World” in which he allegedly wrote, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster.” Routh allegedly offered $150,000 to anyone who could “complete the job.” He was sentenced to life in prison in February 2026.
Despite the escalating danger, the president seems to view the attempts as an honor. He told reporters during the conference that he felt “honored” to be a target, adding, “They don’t go after the ones that don’t do much.”
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Kelly Corbett; syracuse.com; (TNS) || ©2026 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit syracuse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
