TikTok, Newsmax say they won't air possible livestreamed public execution
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TikTok and Newsmax say they wouldn't allow livestreams or clips of a possible public execution by firing squad that the Defense Department says it plans to livestream, when asked by Axios.
- No other major platform or TV network would comment on their plans.
Why it matters: It's still unclear whether the early December event will actually be livestreamed, but if it does, it will test whether America's biggest media and tech companies are willing to enforce their content moderation policies against the U.S. government.
Context: The last time these companies were put in this type of position was when multiple platforms removed or restricted a video posted by President Trump to his supporters on Jan. 6.
- Those efforts kicked off a broader effort by Trump and conservatives to build their own platforms, web servers and apps to deliver information without fear of censorship.
State of play: Representatives from Meta and YouTube declined to comment on whether they would allow video of the firing squad execution of the convicted Fort Hood shooter to be livestreamed or distributed as clips.
- A representative from Snap also did not comment on whether the company would allow the clips on its platform. It doesn't have a livestream feature.
- A TikTok spokesperson said the video would not be allowed, as it would violate its content policies that prohibit "graphic incidents and violence, including torture, the moment of someone's death, or a shooting," as well as "dead bodies, graphic injuries, including dismembered, mutilated, charred or burned bodies."
Between the lines: Some firms explicitly bar this type of content, but allow exceptions for content that is considered newsworthy or in the public interest.
- Meta, for example, explicitly states in its policies that it does not allow users to post "live-streams of capital punishments," but it has made exceptions to its broader policies for newsworthy events.
- YouTube's policies prohibit violent or graphic content, harmful or dangerous content or livestreaming firearms. It also has public interest exceptions to its rules, but would not comment on whether they would apply to this situation.
Zoom out: News networks, which already face pressure to carry broadcasts from the administration, are mostly choosing not to comment for now, except Newsmax.
- "Newsmax will not air the livestream. We will not show the actual execution on air. We will review what clips we may show, but at no time will they be graphic. Newsmax disagrees with the Pentagon's plan to livestream the execution," the company said in a statement provided to Axios.
- CBS News and NBC News declined to comment. Fox News and ABC News did not respond to a request for comment. CNN said it will have guidance closer to the event if it goes ahead but has nothing to share at this point.
- The FCC chair Brendan Carr said he would defer to the Pentagon on whether broadcasters could air the execution.
The intrigue: None of the major conservative networks or platforms commented or responded to requests for comment on whether they plan to take the event live, including Rumble, Truth Social, Real America's Voice or OAN.
- The White House did not respond to a request for comment on whether Trump TV would air the event.
The big picture: It's possible the livestream doesn't happen at all, in which case, networks may not want to prematurely comment on their plans.
- President Trump has privately shared misgivings about livestreaming it, Axios' Marc Caputo reported.
- The plan to livestream the execution is garnering mounting discomfort from the Catholic Church, the Hill and survivors of the shooting, per Axios' Avery Lotz.
Context: The Pentagon itself has not specified where the stream will be hosted.
- The firing-squad execution is of a former Army major who murdered 13 people at Fort Hood in Texas in 2009.
- The U.S. hasn't held a public execution in 90 years, and Pete Hegseth's remarks raise questions about how the military would allow people to watch.
- Vice President JD Vance has said he would not watch the execution.
