President Trump said he wasn’t involved in the plan to livestream the execution by firing squad of Fort Hood killer Nidal Hasan, while stressing that he understands the decision to make an “example” of him.
“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 on Friday during his trip to Syracuse, where he campaigned for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s gubernatorial bid, when asked if he approved live-streaming the event.
He was more direct when asked if he approved of the execution itself. “I did,” Trump said.
Trump’s comments appeared to be a step back from earlier remarks that he approved the plan to livestream the execution.
Trump went on to discuss with the CNY Central the horrific Nidal Hasan attack that prompted the military to announce its first execution by firing squad since 1945. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said it would be broadcast live on Dec. 3.
“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.
Hours earlier, while leaving the White House, Trump appeared to endorse the plan to broadcast the execution live. “Did I approve? Absolutely,” he said.
The White House rapid response account blasted out Trump’s latest and more fulsome language on X.
Trump also suggested the livestream question remained unresolved, saying he would “make a determination” on it — while insisting Hasan would be executed 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.”
Hasan killed 13 people and wounded 32 others during his Nov. 5, 2009 massacre inside a medical building at the Texas base.
Vice President JD Vance, who held a campaign event in Ohio Friday, said he wouldn’t be watching the execution if it is broadcast.
“I don’t know that that’s actually going to happen,” he said. “If it’s ultimately livestreamed, I’m not going to be watching it.”
