Donald Trump confirms firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter will not be livestreamed

The President had previously backed the proposal, arguing that broadcasting the execution could deter terrorism.

However, he said today: "Many very good and well-meaning people would rather not watch him die."

Mr Trump added: "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.

"He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed."

Mr Trump said the families of Hasan’s victims would still be allowed to attend the execution in person.

"They deserve to witness justice", he said.

The Pentagon announced last week that Hasan’s execution would take place on December 3, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth claiming the event would be livestreamed for the public to "understand the consequences" of such attacks.

Mr Trump had expressed support for the proposal last Friday, describing Hasan as "totally nuts".

"I really don't care how he goes, as long as he goes, and I think that the death penalty is a very worthy way of going for him", he had said.

The President also had said he "absolutely" approved of livestreaming the execution, although he indicated that the Pentagon was still "making a determination" on whether the broadcast would proceed.

Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, opened fire on November 5 2009 inside a crowded medical building at Fort Hood, where soldiers preparing for deployment were waiting for medical check-ups and vaccinations.

A total of 13 unarmed US soldiers were killed, and another 32 people were injured in the attack, which became the deadliest non-combat shooting at an American military installation.

Hasan later admitted in court that he was responsible for the shooting, and apologised for "any mistakes".

He said he believed he was protecting Muslims and the Taliban in Afghanistan from the US military.

His planned execution is set to be the first US military execution in more than 60 years.

Under US military law, an execution must be approved by the president. The process also requires appellate review, in which a higher court examines the case and issues a final judgment on whether the execution can legally proceed.

Public executions are also uncommon internationally. According to Amnesty International, more than 2,700 executions were carried out across 17 countries in 2025, but only two countries were known to have conducted executions publicly.

The organisation recorded 11 public executions in Iran that year, and another six in Afghanistan.