Trump cancels execution livestream

President Donald Trump called off plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan on Thursday following fierce bipartisan backlash.

Trump's initial reasoning

Trump said he thought streaming the execution might deter terrorism by showing how America deals with terrorists, but many good people preferred not to watch Hasan die.

“might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM”

Bipartisan opposition emerged

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the livestream on October eighth, sparking backlash from both Democrats and Republicans who said it would create terrorist recruitment material.

“a video that would be a recruiting tool for future terrorists”

Republican lawmakers spoke out

Republican Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia said livestreaming executions is what jihadists do. Rep. John Curtis of Utah warned it would erode civilisation by creating appetite for executions as entertainment.

“a civilization erodes when it cultivates an appetite for executions as a form of entertainment”

Public polling showed opposition

An ABC News slash Washington Post slash Ipsos poll found eight in ten Americans said the execution should not be livestreamed. Majorities across all party lines opposed it.

Execution still scheduled for December

The execution of Hasan, a former Army major convicted of killing thirteen people and injuring thirty two in a two thousand nine Fort Hood shooting, remains scheduled for December third.