Survivors of the 2009 Fort Hood massacre have expressed support for President Donald Trump's decision not to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, citing concerns that broadcasting the event could turn it into a spectacle and provide a propaganda tool for terrorist groups. Hasan is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on December 3, 2026, with immediate family members of the victims allowed to witness the execution in person, but it will not be broadcast to the public as previously planned by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Alonzo Lunsford, who was shot seven times during the attack, described Trump's decision as a "positive move," stating, "It proves that we are a better people, a better nation, and that we're not barbaric. We don't glorify such actions." He supports Hasan's death sentence but opposes public broadcasting of the execution, emphasizing that it should not be treated as a spectacle.
Lunsford warned that footage of the execution could be exploited by terrorist organizations, saying, "You don't want that to be used as a tool for ISIS or al-Qaeda to recruit."
Julia Wilson, a civilian employee at Fort Hood during the attack, also welcomed the decision against livestreaming, expressing concern for the mental health of others who might witness the execution. She stated, "Seeing something like that affects your mental health. I don't care who you are."
Wilson highlighted the potential permanence of such footage online, worrying that it could be discovered by children in the future. Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, acknowledged that while he believed broadcasting the execution could serve as a deterrent, he ultimately sided with those who preferred it not be streamed.
Lunsford criticized the Army's handling of Hasan prior to the attack, noting that there were warnings about his behavior. He questioned what might have happened if Hasan had deployed overseas before the attack, suggesting that it could have resulted in more casualties.
He emphasized the importance of allowing victims' families to witness the execution, stating, "It's gonna be a traumatic thing for, at least for the families of the fallen. They'll be able to close the chapter and hopefully close the book."
Lunsford concluded by reflecting on the lasting impact of the attack on survivors, saying, "Every day we get up, we come to the VA hospital or we have to take our meds in the morning... that's a constant reminder. I am no longer a victim of his. I'm a survivor."