US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan will not be livestreamed to the public. Hasan, 56, a former US Army Major, was convicted of murdering 13 unarmed soldiers and wounding 32 others at a military installation in Texas in 2009.
Backlash over broadcast plan
His death was due to mark the first military execution in America in over six decades. Last week, US Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth informed reporters that the execution would be livestreamed. As backlash against the proposal intensified, vice-president JD Vance confirmed he was "not going to be watching it" and later admitted uncertainty over whether the broadcast would proceed.
Trump's announcement
Posting on his Truth Social platform, President Trump confirmed the stream will not take place. However, he stated that relatives of Hasan's victims will be permitted to witness his execution in person. He wrote: "I think streaming the execution for all to see might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM like Hasan but, many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die, through streaming, or through any other visual device."
"He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed. That said, the execution may be viewed in person by the immediate families of the victims, if they so choose. They deserve to witness JUSTICE!"
Execution date and reaction
Hasan's execution is set for December 3. Following the announcement to broadcast the event, Hegseth declared that "people need to understand that there's serious consequences for these types of things". Trump subsequently faced scrutiny over whether the broadcast could serve as terrorist propaganda. When pressed on the potential misuse of the footage, he branded Hasan "totally nuts", adding: "I really don't care how he goes, as long as he goes, and I think that the death penalty is a very worthy way of going for him."
