US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the execution of Fort Hood gunman Nidal Hasan will not be broadcast online. Hasan, 56, a former US Army Major, shot dead 13 unarmed soldiers and wounded 32 others at a military base in Texas in 2009.
Decision reversed after backlash
His execution was set to become the first military killing in America in over 60 years. Last week, US Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth told reporters that his death would be streamed live to the public, reports the Irish Mirror.
As backlash against the decision grew, Vice-President JD Vance confirmed he was "not going to be watching it", before later admitting he was uncertain whether the livestream would proceed.
Trump's statement on Truth Social
President Trump has now taken to his Truth Social platform to confirm the stream will not take place. However, he has stated that the families 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 concerns
Hasan's execution is set for 3 December. Following the announcement of plans to broadcast the execution, Hegseth stated that "people need to understand that there's serious consequences for these types of things".
However, Trump subsequently faced scrutiny over whether the broadcast could be exploited as propaganda by terrorist groups. When pressed on the possibility of the footage being misused, he described Hasan as "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."
