Trump calls off livestream for Fort Hood shooter's execution by firing squad
President Donald Trump has canceled plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, by firing squad. While Trump initially supported the idea as a deterrent, he reversed the decision following public criticism.
Why it matters
The decision highlights the ongoing debate regarding the ethics of publicizing state-sanctioned executions and the use of military justice in the modern era.
By Nardine Saad Published 15 October 2026, 15:20 BST Updated 1 minute ago Figure caption, Can the Fort Hood shooter’s execution be livestreamed?
US President Donald Trump has called off plans to livestream the execution of former US army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan by firing squad.
Trump had previously said he approved of showing online the death of the Fort Hood attacker, while Vice-President JD Vance cast doubt on whether it would happen and said he would not watch it.
As criticism over the public display mounted, Trump said on Thursday that "many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die".
"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," Trump said.
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