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United States President Donald Trump has abandoned plans to livestream the scheduled execution of former US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people in a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.
Trump announced the decision in a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, confirming that Hasan’s execution by firing squad would proceed on December 3, 2026, as scheduled, despite the decision not to broadcast it publicly.
The president had earlier proposed livestreaming the execution, arguing that showing the punishment could serve as a deterrent to terrorism and demonstrate how the United States deals with people convicted of terrorist-related crimes.
However, Trump said he had reconsidered the proposal after taking into account the concerns of people who opposed broadcasting the execution. He maintained that although he believed the footage could have a deterrent effect, he had decided against making the event available for public viewing.
“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 but, many very good and well-meaning people would rather not watch him die, through streaming, or through any other visual device.
“He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed,” Trump wrote.
The decision represents a reversal of the president’s earlier position on broadcasting the execution. However, he did not indicate that the planned date or method of execution had changed.
Victims’ families may witness execution
Trump also said the immediate families of those killed in the Fort Hood shooting would be allowed to attend the execution in person if they wished.
“They deserve to witness JUSTICE!” he said.
The president’s remarks placed emphasis on the victims and their families, who lost loved ones in the attack at the military installation in Texas.
Trump described Hasan as a “very bad and evil man” and argued that the execution should proceed as scheduled following the conclusion of the military appeals process.
Although the livestream proposal has been dropped, the president maintained that the punishment would go ahead. His announcement did not provide further details about arrangements for family members who might choose to attend.
Livestream proposal faced criticism
The plan to broadcast Hasan’s execution had attracted criticism from lawmakers and religious leaders who opposed showing the killing publicly.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously announced that the execution would be livestreamed, prompting objections over the proposal.
Trump acknowledged that some people considered well-meaning did not want to watch Hasan die through a livestream or any other visual medium.
He said their concerns had influenced his decision, even though he continued to believe that broadcasting the execution might have served as a warning to others.
The president did not identify the individuals whose objections influenced his decision or explain whether any alternative arrangements had been considered.
The reversal leaves the execution scheduled to proceed without the proposed public broadcast.
Trump renews criticism of Obama-era intelligence handling
In his post, Trump also criticised the administration of former President Barack Obama over its handling of intelligence concerning Hasan before the 2009 shooting.
Trump alleged that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had intercepted electronic communications between Hasan and Anwar al-Awlaki, a Yemeni-American cleric, before the attack.
He said investigators had concluded that Hasan’s emails did not pose a threat, describing the assessment as a major intelligence failure.
The handling of Hasan’s communications had previously attracted scrutiny over whether the information available to authorities should have prompted stronger action before the shooting.
Trump’s latest comments renewed that criticism, although the announcement about the execution did not provide new evidence regarding the intelligence assessment.
The case has remained a subject of debate over the responsibilities of intelligence agencies and military authorities when information about potential threats emerges before an attack.
Background to the Fort Hood attack
Hasan opened fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009, killing 13 people and injuring 32 others.
The attack shocked the United States and triggered investigations into security procedures and the handling of information about Hasan before the shooting.
A military jury convicted him in 2013 of premeditated murder and attempted murder and sentenced him to death.
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, became one of the most prominent figures in discussions about violence within the US military and the challenges of identifying potential threats before they result in mass casualties.
The case also prompted questions about how the FBI and military authorities assessed his communications with al-Awlaki and whether the information available at the time had been adequately acted upon.
Execution remains scheduled for December 3
The execution was authorised by Trump after the completion of the military appeals process. The US Army announced that it was scheduled for 1 p.m. local time on December 3, 2026, at Fort Hood, where the shooting took place.
Trump’s decision to abandon the livestream proposal does not alter the announced date or method of execution.
The case remains significant in discussions about military justice, counterterrorism, intelligence failures and the treatment of victims’ families in high-profile criminal proceedings.
For now, the president has ruled out broadcasting the execution, while maintaining that Hasan will face the scheduled punishment by firing squad.
The announcement ends the uncertainty over whether the execution would be livestreamed, but leaves the planned execution date unchanged.
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