Trump Weighs Livestream of Nidal Hasan Execution

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he has not yet decided whether the Pentagon will be allowed to livestream the scheduled execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former Army major convicted in the 2009 Fort Hood attack. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the matter remains under review and that he will make the final call.

Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others during the mass shooting at Fort Hood. Earlier in the week, the Pentagon confirmed to Fox News Digital that his execution is scheduled for Dec. 3 and that plans called for it to be livestreamed. If carried out, it would mark the first execution by the U.S. military since 1961 and the first military firing squad execution since 1945.

Trump indicated that he sees arguments on both sides of the broadcast question. He described Hasan as “vicious” and “violent,” then said there are “two thoughts” on whether the public should be able to watch the execution. On one hand, he suggested that not showing it could avoid turning the event into a spectacle. On the other, he said a public broadcast might deter future acts of violence by showing the consequences.

“I’ll make a decision, ultimately,” Trump said, adding that he understands what military leaders would like to do but has not signed off on the final approach. His remarks appeared to leave open the possibility that the Pentagon’s plan could still change before the execution date.

The comments came a day after Trump addressed the issue in an interview with CNY Central following a rally in Syracuse. At that time, he said he had not been involved in the decision to livestream the execution, though he said he understood the reasoning behind it. According to Trump, the military wants the execution to “serve as an example,” a rationale he said he understood “very well.”

Fox News Digital previously reported that Trump approved the use of an Army firing squad after a recommendation from War Secretary Pete Hegseth. That decision established the method of execution, but Trump’s latest comments suggest the separate question of public broadcast is still unresolved.

Vice President JD Vance also weighed in Friday, saying he was unsure whether the execution would ultimately be livestreamed. He added that if it is broadcast, he does not plan to watch it. His remarks underscored that, even within the administration, the issue remains unsettled.

Why the decision matters

The case has drawn renewed national attention not only because of Hasan’s crimes, but also because of the rarity of a military execution. The prospect of a livestream adds another layer of controversy, raising questions about deterrence, public interest and the appropriate handling of a punishment carried out by the armed forces.

Supporters of a broadcast may argue that transparency and deterrence justify making the execution public. Critics, however, may see a livestream as unnecessary or troubling, particularly given the gravity of the crimes and the military setting. Trump’s remarks suggest he is weighing both concerns as the Dec. 3 date approaches.

For now, the Pentagon’s confirmed plan remains in place, but the president has made clear that the final decision rests with him. Unless that changes, the execution of Hasan is set to become one of the most closely watched military justice events in decades.

Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr contributed to the original report.