Trump Cancels Livestream of Nidal Hasan Execution After Backlash
The Story
President Donald Trump called off plans to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan, a decision reported by National Review on October 16.
The execution remains scheduled for December 3 by firing squad, which would be the first U.S. military firing squad execution since World War II, according to Time. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had announced on October 8 that the execution would be livestreamed. Trump stated on Truth Social that while streaming might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM, many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die.
He confirmed that victims' families may view the execution if they so choose. The decision followed fierce bipartisan backlash, as reported by Time and the Associated Press. Vice President JD Vance had previously expressed uncertainty about the livestream and stated he would not watch it. House Speaker Mike Johnson also said he would not watch, citing concerns it could become a recruiting tool for future terrorists.
Republican Rep. Austin Scott stated, live-streaming executions is what jihadists do. America is better than that. An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll found 8 in 10 Americans oppose livestreaming Hasan's execution. Rep. Thomas Massie suggested Trump should fire Hegseth before impeachment.
The Spread
The coverage 60 sources
- Far LeftCommon DreamsTrump Cancels Livestreamed Execution of Fort Hood Mass Shooter After Nationwide Outcry (opens the publisher’s site)
- LeftMother JonesTrump Calls Off Execution Livestream (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftABC NewsWide majority of Americans oppose livestreaming Hasan execution: ABC/Post/Ipsos poll (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftNBC NewsTrump says government won’t livestream execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftTimeTrump Cancels Livestream of Fort Hood Firing Squad Execution Amid Bipartisan Pushback (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftCBS NewsTrump calls off plan to livestream Fort Hood shooter's execution (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftThe AgeTrump administration abandons plan for livestream of execution (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftThe Boston GlobeTrump, after bipartisan backlash, says Pentagon won’t livestream execution of Fort Hood shooter (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftThe Sydney Morning HeraldTrump administration abandons plan for livestream of execution (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftNational Catholic ReporterTrump calls off Hegseth plan to livestream execution denounced by Catholic leaders (opens the publisher’s site)