Trump cancels public livestream of Fort Hood gunman's execution

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 19:32 · Archive

Donald Trump has cancelled plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood gunman Nidal Malik Hasan after the announcement faced bipartisan criticism. The Pentagon announced the livestream earlier this month, prompting significant backlash over concerns the images could be used to fuel radicalisation. Vice-president JD Vance said he would not watch it.

Hasan, 56, a former US Army Major, murdered 13 unarmed soldiers and wounded 32 others at the military installation in Texas in 2009. His execution would mark the first military execution in the United States in over six decades.

Trump said on social media that streaming the execution 'might have been a strong deterrent' for the world to witness how America deals with terrorism, but that 'very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die, through streaming, or through any other visual device'. He confirmed the execution will proceed as scheduled but will not be livestreamed. Victim families will be permitted to witness it in person if they choose. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Trump and Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth discussed the decision before the president's announcement.

How it is being reported

• Donald Trump scraps plans to livestream firing squad execution after backlashUS President Donald Trump has said the Pentagon will no longer livestream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood gunman Nidal Malik Hasan, after the announcement faced bipartisan criticism and vice president JD Vance said he would not watch it.The National · 15 Oct, 19:12
• Donald Trump cancels public livestream of firing squad executionThe execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan will not be livestreamed to the public, US President Donald Trump has confirmed.Daily Record · 15 Oct, 16:13

In this story: Donald Trump · Nidal Malik Hasan · JD Vance · Peter Hegseth · Fort Hood · Pentagon

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