Trump cancels Hegseth plan to livestream military execution
Source published: Oct 15, 2026 · 10:13 AM EDT · Event: 2026-10-15
President Donald Trump canceled the Pentagon's plan to livestream the scheduled firing-squad execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, reversing a proposal announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump said the execution would not be streamed but could be witnessed in person by immediate family members of the victims. The decision changes the broadcast plan, not Hasan's 2013 military conviction or death sentence. The Pentagon continues to list the execution for December 3, although AP reports Hasan could seek a delay.
Response / context
Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said Trump and Hegseth discussed the change and that Hegseth supports the president's decision. The proposal had drawn objections from Republican and Democratic lawmakers, Vice President JD Vance and Catholic leaders, including criticism that broadcasting an execution could promote radicalization or turn punishment into spectacle. Reuters described the reversal as a rare public disagreement between Trump and Hegseth, while the Pentagon said they were completely aligned on the final decision. The Ledger did not locate an official White House or Defense Department release and therefore relies on Reuters and AP for the attributed announcement and Pentagon response.
Dates and scope
Source publication: Oct 15, 2026 · 10:13 AM EDT
Event or conduct: 2026-10-15. Trump announced the reversal October 15. Reuters published its initial report that day and a follow-up analysis October 16. The Ledger reviewed Reuters and AP on October 16.
Dated report. Publication, event and review times are different; the review time is when the sources were last checked, not a live update.
This brief preserves the available response and disposition. Coverage is non-exhaustive. How we review sources.
Read the original sources
- Reuters, Phil Stewart, Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu: Trump shuts down Hegseth plan to livestream military execution ↗
October 15 report on Trump's announcement, the canceled livestream plan and the Pentagon response
- Associated Press, Seung Min Kim: Trump, after bipartisan backlash, says Pentagon won't livestream execution of Fort Hood shooter ↗
October 15 report on the announcement, Hegseth's proposal, responses from lawmakers and faith leaders, and the possibility of legal delay
- Reuters, Phil Stewart: Hegseth's TV instincts backfire as Trump rejects execution livestream ↗
October 16 follow-up analysis on the disagreement and its significance for Hegseth's relationship with Trump
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