Pentagon planned to livestream execution

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the Pentagon would livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, scheduled for December 3, the first US military execution since World War II.

Hasan convicted in Fort Hood shooting

Nidal Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding more than 30 others in the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood. Trump supports his execution but was blindsided by the livestream plan.

Public overwhelmingly opposed livestream

An ABC News poll found eight in ten Americans opposed the livestream, including a 55 percent majority of MAGA Republicans. Backlash crossed political divides immediately after Hegseth's announcement.

Trump feared propaganda damage

Trump feared broadcasting the execution could supercharge anti-American propaganda or reflect poorly on the US. He also privately remarked he did not initially know Hasan was paralyzed from the waist down.

Livestream risked identifying soldiers

The Pentagon had not considered that livestreaming could identify soldiers ordered to join the firing squad. Social media and broadcast channels also have rules against content depicting graphic violence.

Trump cancels livestream, execution proceeds

Trump confirmed on Truth Social that Hasan will die by firing squad on December 3 as scheduled, but the event will not be streamed. Families of victims will still be able to watch.

“Hasan will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed.”