Trump cancels livestream of Nidal Hasan's execution

President Donald Trump has withdrawn plans to livestream the firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, a former U.S. Army psychiatrist. The cancellation concerns the planned online broadcast of his execution.

The reversal followed criticism both within the United States and abroad. Explaining his decision on Thursday, Trump said many people acting with good intentions would prefer not to watch Hasan's death.

Trump said Hasan would still be executed by firing squad as scheduled, but without a livestream. His statement retained the execution plan while canceling its broadcast.

The Pentagon had announced the previous week that Hasan would be executed by firing squad on December 3, 2026, with the event streamed online. Human rights groups criticized the proposal, as did the United Nations.

Hasan killed 13 unarmed U.S. soldiers and wounded 32 others in the 2009 shooting at a military base in Texas. His planned execution would be the first military execution in more than 60 years.

Trump said victims' families would retain the option of attending the execution in person if they wanted to witness it.

President Trump said in a Friday-night interview with WSTM-TV in Syracuse, New York, that he had not been involved in the decision to livestream the execution. He said he understood the decision.

The Pentagon plans to livestream the firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army major convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009. The proposal has drawn criticism, including warnings that it could inspire further terrorism.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Thursday that the Dec. 3 execution would be livestreamed. He said public viewing would demonstrate serious consequences. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth recommended the use of an Army firing squad and President Trump approved that plan.

Alonzo Lunsford, a former U.S. Army sergeant who survived being shot seven times at Fort Hood, said he supports execution by firing squad. He said it should not be viewed as entertainment.

Trump says he was not involved in decision to livestream execution

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