Trump Cancels Livestream Plan for Fort Hood Execution

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the government will not livestream the firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, reversing a plan previously set by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. While acknowledging that public streaming might deter global terrorist sympathy, Trump stated in a Truth Social post that many well-meaning people would rather avoid watching the event through any visual device. He confirmed that Hasan will die as scheduled but added that immediate family members of his victims can view the December 3 execution in person.

The Army sentenced Hasan to death in 2013 for killing 13 and injuring 32 others at Fort Hood in 2009. Trump's decision follows widespread bipartisan pushback after Hegseth initially promised public access, with critics citing concerns about reinforcing martyrdom narratives or contradicting American values regarding violence. Although the Pentagon was caught off guard by the backlash, multiple officials confirmed that Trump remained firmly behind the firing squad verdict itself.

Sources familiar with internal discussions noted that President Trump and his advisers were debating whether to cancel the livestream plans earlier in the week; he reportedly did not initially know Hasan had been paralyzed from the waist down. Despite initial uncertainty about Hegseth's announcement, officials told CNN that Trump was consistently supportive of executing Hasan via firing squad.

The proposal faced immediate opposition across party lines and within military institutions alike. Public sentiment against livestreaming executions proved strong, with 80% of US adults including a significant majority of Republicans expressing disagreement in recent polling data.