Trump announced the reversal on Thursday, October 15, following criticism from lawmakers, religious leaders, human rights advocates and members of the public who opposed broadcasting the execution. The president had previously supported the proposal, arguing that making the event public could discourage terrorism by demonstrating the consequences of such attacks. However, he later acknowledged that many people were uncomfortable with the idea of watching an execution.

In a statement shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the broadcast would not go ahead, although the execution was still scheduled to take place on December 3, 2026.

The president also indicated that relatives of the victims would be allowed to attend in person if they wished.

The proposal to livestream the execution had generated criticism across political and religious lines in the United States. Opponents questioned whether broadcasting the event would serve a legitimate public purpose or turn a serious judicial matter into a public spectacle.

Hasan was convicted by a military jury in 2013 for the November 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, now known as Fort Cavazos, in Texas. The attack killed 13 people and wounded 32 others.

According to the US Army, President Trump approved Hasan’s death sentence on October 2, 2026, and the Army subsequently scheduled the execution for December 3 at Fort Hood. If carried out, it would be the first US military execution since 1961.

The controversy over the proposed broadcast has also drawn attention to the wider debate about capital punishment and the public display of executions.

Amnesty International’s 2025 death penalty report recorded at least 2,707 executions across 17 countries during the year, the highest annual total documented by the organisation since 1981. The report identified at least 17 public executions in Afghanistan and Iran combined.

The figures highlight the continuing international debate over the use of the death penalty, transparency surrounding executions and the treatment of people facing capital punishment.

Trump’s decision removes the proposed public livestream, but it does not cancel the scheduled execution. The December date remains subject to any further legal developments or official changes.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia