Behind the bulletproof panels that Trump hates

When Donald Trump arrived at a rally in Lititz, Pennsylvania on Monday (AEDT), the full theatricality of American politics was on display. As Trump walked from a black SUV to the podium, he performed WWE wrestler The Undertaker's entrance song Rest in peace – a mourning song with church bells and organs. The former president then stood there for two and a half minutes, swaying like Lee Greenwood God bless the USA.

As the unofficial national anthem played its final notes, Trump raised his fist and tapped twice on a giant slab of bulletproof glass. Shouts of “USA” followed. The protective glass, typically used only to protect sitting presidents and vice presidents, has become an unwelcome part of Trump's outdoor rallies since an assassination attempt in July.

Half an hour into the rally, Trump began lamenting the effect the panels would have on his appearance, saying, “If you watch me tonight, you're going to say, 'The president doesn't look that good.'” Well, How the hell do you look good? Look at the size of this sucker.

“I don’t look good on TV when you have a four-inch piece of glass that a howitzer can’t penetrate.”

For bulletproof glass to meet the standard for government use in the United States, it must withstand five shots from one of America's 1.2 million submachine guns or rifles. According to Nathan Munz, managing director of Australian ballistic glass manufacturer Glassform, the panels used at the Trump and Harris rallies appear to be designed to withstand a particularly aggressive attack.

“It looks like it has at least five layers, and the outside appears to be glass,” Munz said. “They also have some layers of plastic, so this type of glass has a pretty high rating.”

For 35 years, Munz has delivered to Australian embassies and government buildings, as well as other customers he cannot discuss for security reasons. He said that for the benefit of those behind the glass, panel manufacturing and capability specifications are often not disclosed, making it difficult to comment on their characteristics.

Munz said as sturdy as the glass screens protecting Trump and Harris looked, he was shocked by the fact that there were large gaps between the panels.