Trump Clarifies Stance on Nidal Hasan Execution Livestream

Former President Donald Trump clarified his position on the planned livestream of the execution of Nidal Hasan, the perpetrator of the 2009 Fort Hood massacre. Trump stated that he was not involved in the decision to broadcast the execution by firing squad, but expressed understanding for the rationale behind making an example of Hasan. He affirmed his approval of the execution itself.

"They want to do that because they want to set an example. I wasn’t involved in that decision, but I understand the decision," Trump told CNY Central during a campaign trip to Syracuse. When pressed on whether he approved of the execution, Trump responded, "I did."

Trump’s remarks on Friday marked a shift from earlier statements where he appeared to endorse the plan to livestream the event. Earlier in the day, when asked about approving the broadcast, he had stated, "Did I approve? Absolutely."

During the interview, Trump elaborated on the context of the Fort Hood attack, recounting that Hasan killed 13 people and wounded 22 others. "He went in and killed 14 people. He badly, badly wounded 22 people — walked into a room, just started firing at everybody, screaming things that he shouldn’t be screaming. So, I guess they want to have it serve as an example, and I understand that very well," Trump said.

The White House rapid response account shared Trump's revised comments on X. Trump also indicated that a final decision on the livestream had not yet been made, though he reiterated his support for the execution by firing squad.

"He will be through firing squad. … 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," Trump stated.

Nidal Hasan is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on December 3rd for the November 5, 2009, attack inside a medical building at the Texas military base. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had previously announced that the execution would be broadcast live.

Vice President JD Vance, speaking at a campaign event in Ohio, said he would not watch the execution if it were livestreamed. "I don’t know that that’s actually going to happen," Vance said. "If it’s ultimately livestreamed, I’m not going to be watching it."