Brief

EU tech chief declines to comment on US livestream execution plan

European Commission vice‑president Henna Virkkunen declined to answer a query on EU steps should the US broadcast the Dec 3 execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 14 Oct 2026 09:32:23 GMT

European Commission vice‑president for technology Henna Virkkunen did not answer a journalist’s query about what the EU would do if the United States livestreams the Dec 3 firing‑squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, according to two UK outlets.

What happened

On Wednesday, during an artificial‑intelligence event hosted by the Irish government in Dublin’s RDS as part of Ireland’s EU Council presidency, Virkkunen fielded questions on AI and tech regulation. When a reporter asked about EU measures should the US proceed with a livestream of the execution, Virkkunen refused to respond and a press officer ended the media session.

What the reports add

Both Independent and Standard reported the same sequence of events, noting that the question concerned the planned livestream of the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, scheduled for Dec 3. The outlets also identified US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as the official who proposed the livestream, and quoted Vice President JD Vance’s statement that he would not watch it.

What was said

According to the reports, Hegseth told the outlet Real America’s Voice, “We’ll make sure that people are able to watch it.” Vice President JD Vance, quoted by the outlets, said, “I’m not going to be watching it.”

How it came about

Felo previously covered the broader debate over the livestreamed execution in several pieces: the Pope’s condemnation of the death penalty (article), US officials defending the plan (article), and the Trump administration’s pending decision (article). Those pieces detailed the US side of the proposal, while today’s reports show the EU’s reluctance to comment when the issue was raised at an AI forum in Dublin.

Key facts

Henna Virkkunen refused to answer a question on EU response to a US livestreamed execution (independent.co.uk)
The question was raised at an AI event in Dublin during Ireland’s EU Council presidency (independent.co.uk)
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth proposed livestreaming the Dec 3 execution of Nidal Hasan (independent.co.uk)
Vice President JD Vance said he would not watch the livestream (independent.co.uk)