Trump cancels Pentagon plan to livestream Nidal Hasan firing squad execution
The president halted the broadcast after widespread backlash, but the December 3 execution of the Fort Hood shooter remains scheduled.
Key points
- Donald Trump canceled the Pentagon’s plan to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan.
- The execution by firing squad is still scheduled for December 3, with only victims' families allowed to watch.
- A poll showed 8 in 10 Americans opposed the public broadcast, including a majority of MAGA Republicans.
Donald Trump canceled the Pentagon’s controversial plan to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan on Thursday, according to reports from CNN and other outlets. The execution of Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding more than 30 others at Fort Hood in 2009, remains on schedule for December 3.
Trump supports carrying out the sentence but decided against the public broadcast after facing immediate backlash. Sources close to the president told CNN that Trump was blindsided last week when Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the livestream. This event would mark the first US execution of a soldier since World War II.
Context and Background
An ABC News poll conducted on the morning of the cancellation found that 8 in 10 Americans were against the livestream. This opposition crossed political lines, with 55 percent of MAGA Republicans also opposing the broadcast. Insiders told ABC News that Trump feared broadcasting the execution could supercharge anti-American propaganda or reflect poorly on the United States.
CNN reported that Trump privately remarked he did not initially know Hasan was paralyzed from the waist down. An Army officer with multiple deployments in the Middle East told CNN that livestreaming the event "takes away everything America stands for." The officer described the generational harm of allowing troops in uniform to shoot a man in a wheelchair as irreparable.
Who Is Affected
On Truth Social, Trump confirmed that Hasan will die by firing squad as scheduled, but the event will not be streamed to the public. Families of the victims will still be able to watch the execution. Trump stated that while streaming might have been a deterrent, many well-meaning people prefer not to watch the death through any visual device.
Vice President JD Vance influenced the decision by telling the press he would not watch the livestream if it proceeded. Beyond psychological trauma concerns, CNN reported that the Pentagon seemingly had not considered other challenges the livestream might pose. The administration now focuses on the private execution rather than a public spectacle.
What should you do?
Security professionals should monitor official channels for confirmed updates regarding the execution schedule and access protocols. Verify any claims about livestream links through primary government sources to avoid phishing attempts. Organizations should prepare internal communications to address employee concerns about the event. Watch for potential misinformation campaigns exploiting the controversy surrounding the execution details.
What to do and how to stay safe: Nidal Hasan
- Verify any information about the execution schedule through official Pentagon or White House channels.
- Monitor official social media accounts for confirmed statements regarding access for victims' families.
- Prepare internal communications to address employee questions or concerns about the event.
- Watch for potential misinformation or phishing attempts exploiting the controversy surrounding the execution.
Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nidal Hasan's execution still happening?
Yes, the firing squad execution is still scheduled for December 3, but it will not be livestreamed to the public.
Why did Trump cancel the livestream?
Trump canceled the plan after facing backlash and fearing it could harm US image or be used as propaganda.
Who can watch the execution?
Only families of the victims will be able to watch the execution; the general public will not have access.
