Rumors spread online following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement regarding the public broadcast of Nidal Hasan’s execution.
WASHINGTON, DC: Following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth‘s declaration that the government plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, a fabricated report began circulating across social media. The viral post falsely alleged that the Department of Justice intends to broadcast the arrests of Jeffrey Epstein’s former associates, triggering widespread online speculation and a subsequent investigation into its authenticity.
The Rumor: DOJ to Broadcast Epstein Associates’ Arrests
The narrative originated from a post on the platform X, which asserted that the DOJ had scheduled a public livestream for the apprehension of individuals linked to Epstein.
Accumulating thousands of views quickly, the post featured an AI-generated graphic depicting high-profile figures—including former President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick—being taken into custody by the FBI amid cheering crowds and media personnel.
While a segment of the audience recognized the post as a joke, many users reacted as though the event were genuinely occurring.
Fact Check: Content Confirmed as Satire
In reality, the claim is completely unfounded. The Justice Department has issued no directives or announcements concerning the public broadcasting of arrests related to the late financier.
A review of official communications, press briefings, and statements from Attorney General Todd Blanche reveals zero mention of any such initiative.
Had a federal agency made such an unprecedented announcement, mainstream journalistic organizations would have covered it extensively. However, searches across major search engines yielded no legitimate news reports validating the rumor.
The origin of the post provides clarity: it was published by an X profile named ‘The Babylon Bibi,’ which explicitly labels its content as satire in its account biography. The material was created solely for humor and online engagement.
Context: Pete Hegseth Details Nidal Hasan’s Public Execution
The satirical post gained traction immediately following remarks made by Hegseth on Thursday, October 8, regarding the upcoming execution of former Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan. Hegseth stated that the administration intends to make the event accessible for public viewing.
“We’ll make sure that people can watch it. That it’s public,” Hegseth remarked, emphasizing his stance on allowing citizens to witness the proceedings.
When questioned about whether Hasan had submitted any final requests prior to the event, Hegseth responded directly: “We don’t care. We’ll see him on December 3rd.”
This development follows President Donald Trump’s authorization for Hasan to be executed by a firing squad for his role in the tragic 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood.
“It’s going to be soldiers with rifles executing the firing squad,” Hegseth confirmed.