Trump drops plan to livestream Fort Hood shooter's execution

Summary

US President Donald Trump has scrapped plans to livestream the execution of the Fort Hood shooter after bipartisan backlash, reversing a proposal from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. RTÉ says the former Army major killed 13 people; PBS NewsHour and The Globe and Mail report that opponents warned execution images could fuel radicalization.

Timeline

1. RTÉ

   15 Oct 2026, 14:32 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports that Trump scrapped the livestream plan, overruling Pete Hegseth after opposition from Republicans, religious leaders and the public; it identifies the shooter as a former Army major who killed 13 people at Fort Hood.

2. PBS NewsHour

   15 Oct 2026, 14:34 UTCSource ↗

   PBS NewsHour reports that Hegseth's announcement earlier this month that Hasan's execution would be public drew bipartisan blowback, including concerns that images could fuel radicalization.

3. The Globe and Mail

   15 Oct 2026, 14:35 UTCSource ↗

   The Globe and Mail reports that Trump canceled the livestream plan after Republicans and Democrats said images of the execution could fuel radicalization.

4. Financial Times

   15 Oct 2026, 14:37 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that Trump canceled Hegseth's plan to livestream the execution after backlash.

5. TIME

   15 Oct 2026, 16:41 UTCSource ↗

   TIME reports that Trump canceled the livestream of the Fort Hood firing-squad execution amid bipartisan pushback.