US President calls off execution livestream

US President Donald Trump has abandoned plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the former US Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people at a Texas military base in 2009. The decision came amid widespread public backlash against the proposed broadcast. October 16, 2026–5:14pm. Trump announced the change via his online platform Truth Social, stating that many “very good and well-meaning people” would prefer not to watch the execution. He emphasized that Hasan would still face the death penalty as scheduled but clarified that the event would not be publicly televised. According to Trump, the live stream could have had a strong deterrent effect, though he did not elaborate further. Hasan was found guilty of murder in a military court in 2013 for the attack at Fort Hood, Texas, which left 13 dead and 32 injured. He claimed the act was retaliation for US military actions in Muslim-majority regions. His death sentence can still be challenged in federal courts, potentially delaying the execution indefinitely. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously announced the planned livestream of the execution, set for December 3, arguing that the public needed to understand the severe consequences of such acts. However, the proposal faced criticism both within Trump's Republican Party and internationally. Concerns were raised that the footage might be used by terrorists for propaganda purposes or that children could inadvertently view the broadcast. Vice President JD Vance stated he would not watch the execution. Amnesty International reported that at least 17 public executions took place globally in the previous year, including six in Afghanistan and 11 in Iran. The decision to cancel the livestream follows pressure from human rights groups and public figures who opposed the plan.