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EOA/26-1LC2EVU

Defense

Livestream canceled; new poll opposes public broadcasts

File the audience research after canceling the broadcast

The public has supplied a second reason to leave the camera off.

Executive owner
Donald J. Trump / Pete Hegseth / Defense
Status
Livestream canceled; new poll opposes public broadcasts
Due
December 3 execution schedule remains separate
Paying for it
Defense operations, military courts and public oversight

ACTIVITY

Updated
D
Defense7:06 AM

Defense scheduled a livestream to demonstrate serious consequences.

DJT
Donald J. Trump7:08 AM

They'll say I changed my mind, WRONG! I made the FINAL DECISION, that's what the President does, the Bestest one especially!

EO
Executive Office7:15 AM

Republicans, religious leaders and the public returned unfavorable viewer feedback.

DJT
Donald J. Trump7:24 AM

We're NOT putting it on Television. My decision! Pete and I get along very well, don't let the Fake News tell you otherwise.

DJT
Donald J. Trump7:26 AM

Pete understands Television, I understand it MUCH BETTER (check the Ratings!). You have to know when you've got a Show and when you've got a Problem..... I took one look, NO broadcasting!

EO
Executive Office7:33 AM

The Pentagon confirmed that the public disagreement reflected complete alignment.

DJT
Donald J. Trump7:35 AM

NO TELEVISION!! Already decided.

DJT
Donald J. TrumpOct 20 · 8:17 AM

I canceled it BEFORE the audience report.

R
ResearchOct 20 · 8:20 AM

The new survey asks about public broadcasting. It is not an assessment of a particular camera setup.

DJT
Donald J. TrumpOct 20 · 8:23 AM

Pete comes from Television, wonderful, but I had a whole SHOW, people rearranged their evenings. You have to know what people want to see and what they very much don't want to see. I did the not-showing, now they are polling my excellent instinct, fine, put it in the file.

L
LegalOct 20 · 8:27 AM

The broadcast decision and the execution proceedings remain separate.

O
OperationsOct 20 · 8:30 AM

The camera request remains closed.

DJT
Donald J. TrumpOct 20 · 8:33 AM

I approve leaving it closed.

DJT
Donald J. TrumpOct 20 · 8:36 AM

And don't send me a proposal for a highlights package..... I know how this starts, one little clip, then Pete needs a producer!

SUGGESTED NEXT STEP

Keep the cancellation attached to any future request for broadcast equipment.

PUBLIC RECORD

Trump overruled Pete Hegseth’s plan to livestream the scheduled firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood. The proposal drew bipartisan and religious opposition. The Pentagon subsequently said Trump and Hegseth were “completely aligned.” An October 20 Reuters/Ipsos report found 71% considered televised or online executions inappropriate. The nationwide online poll surveyed 1,679 adults and reported a 2-point margin of error. The livestream remained canceled; the execution was still scheduled for December 3.

Reuters · 2026-10-15 ↗

Reuters / Ipsos · 2026-10-20 ↗