Trump cancels livestream of Fort Hood shooter’s execution, victims’ families still can watch in person

U.S. President Donald Trump has called off plans to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan, following widespread criticism of the proposal.

In an Oct. 15 Truth Social post, Trump said Hasan would still be executed by firing squad as scheduled, but the event would not be streamed.

Hasan, a former US Army psychiatrist, killed 13 people and injured 32 others at the Fort Hood military base in Texas in 2009.

His execution is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2026, and would be the first U.S. military execution in more than 60 years, according to the BBC.

Trump says people would rather not watch

In a Truth Social post, Trump maintained that streaming the execution could have served as a deterrent, showing how the U.S. deals with terrorists.

However, he acknowledged that “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,” Trump wrote.

He added that the immediate families of the victims could still witness the execution in person if they wished.

“They deserve to witness JUSTICE!” he said.

Pentagon had announced livestream plans

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously announced that Hasan’s execution would be open to public viewing.

“We'll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it's public,” he said, arguing that people needed to understand the serious consequences of such acts.

A Pentagon official subsequently confirmed to Reuters that the execution would be livestreamed.

Widespread criticism

The proposal drew criticism in the U.S. and internationally, including from human rights groups and the United Nations, which called the plans “abhorrent”, BBC reported.

Vice-President JD Vance said he would not watch the execution, while Trump had previously expressed approval of the livestream.

Following Trump’s reversal, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth had discussed the decision with the president beforehand.

“The Secretary supports the President’s decision, and they are completely aligned,” Parnell said.

Sentenced to death in 2013

Hasan opened fire on Nov. 5, 2009, in a crowded medical building at Fort Hood, where soldiers preparing for deployment were awaiting medical checks and vaccinations, according to the BBC.

A military jury sentenced him to death in August 2013 after finding him guilty of 45 counts of premeditated murder and attempted premeditated murder.

The execution is scheduled to take place at the same Texas military base where he carried out the shooting.