But as criticism mounted, Trump appeared to hedge his support, saying on Friday that he "absolutely" approved of the livestream plan, but adding that the Pentagon was still "making a determination" on it.

The president also called Hasan "totally nuts".

"I really don't care how he goes, as long as he goes, and I think that the death penalty is a very worthy way of going for him," he said.

After Trump announced he called it off, a Pentagon spokesman said Hegseth had spoken with the US president beforehand.

"The Secretary supports the President's decision, and they are completely aligned," the spokesman Sean Parnell said.

John Galligan, a lawyer for Hasan working primarily on civil issues, told the BBC that Trump's decision to cancel the livestream of his execution "comes as no surprise".

"It was initially a dumb decision and statement by Hegseth to livestream any execution - and it violated the Army's own regulation," Galligan said.

He said Hasan is paralysed from the chest down, something that Trump "allegedly didn't even know" when he approved the livestream plan.

"The damage has already been done - the Army is now just trying to clean up the mess," Galligan said. "It will permanently remain a stain on our military justice system."

He added that it was not clear if Hasan was aware yet of Trump's "reversal" of the livestream decision.

Hasan opened fire in a crowded medical building where deploying soldiers were awaiting check-ups and vaccines.