Bulletproof and Belly Laughs: Trump’s Jokes, Court Jolts, and Dem Defections - the RedState Rundown
The RedState Weekly Briefing highlights Donald Trump's humor and composure following a shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, a Virginia court ruling against a Democratic redistricting effort, and ongoing Democratic party defections. Trump's self-deprecating joke about wearing a bulletproof vest drew laughter from reporters, while his actions during the incident were praised for their courage. Meanwhile, the Virginia Supreme Court and a circuit court judge blocked certification of a Democratic-backed redistricting referendum, and another North Carolina Democrat left the party, citing ethical concerns.
- ▪The media acknowledged Trump's composure after a shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, with CBS correspondent Weijia Jiang praising his strength.
- ▪Trump joked about looking heavier in a bulletproof vest, drawing laughter from reporters during a press briefing.
- ▪The Virginia Supreme Court and Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. blocked certification of a Democratic redistricting referendum, citing constitutional issues.
- ▪Senator JD Vance was reportedly escorted from the event first, but Trump emphasized protecting Melania Trump and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
- ▪North Carolina state lawmaker Majeed left the Democratic Party, criticizing leadership for lacking honesty and accountability.
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RedState Weekly Briefing - Bulletproof and Belly Laughs: Trump’s Jokes, Court Jolts, and Dem Defections By Susie Moore | 11:25 AM on May 03, 2026 The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of RedState.com. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta Happy Sunday, and welcome to the RedState Weekly Briefing — where we take a quick look at the week’s most viewed stories in case you missed any of them. What do you suppose caught people's attention in yet another eventful week? Grab a cup of coffee (or something stronger if you're so inclined), and sit down with this 21st Century Weekend Edition of your favorite (online) publication.
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