Trump says Fort Hood execution will not be livestreamed

Donald Trump said on Thursday that the Pentagon would not livestream the planned execution of Nidal Hasan, reversing a broadcast plan that had drawn criticism from Republicans and Democrats. He did not call off the execution itself: the US Army has scheduled it for 3 December at Fort Hood, Texas. [2] [4]

In a social media post, Trump said streaming the firing-squad execution might have deterred others, but that “many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die”. He added: “He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed.” Trump said victims’ immediate families could attend in person if they wished. [3] [4]

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had said the execution would be public, and Pentagon officials subsequently told the Associated Press it would be livestreamed. Vice-President JD Vance said he would not watch. Other critics warned that footage could be used to recruit extremists. The Pentagon declined to elaborate on Trump’s announcement, AP reported. [4] [5]

Hasan, a former US Army psychiatrist, was convicted by a military court in 2013 over the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, in which 13 people died. The Army announced the execution date on 7 October, after Trump approved the death sentence. A legal challenge could still delay it. [2] [5]