Trump cheers West Point for axing Tom Hanks award ceremony

By PHILLIP NIETO, US POLITICAL REPORTER

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President Donald Trump is gleefully celebrating Tom Hanks getting dressed down by his own military - after West Point stripped the Hollywood star of a long-planned honor. The commander-in-chief cheered on the decision by a West Point alumni group to cancel an award ceremony for Hanks.

President Donald Trump is gleefully celebrating Tom Hanks getting dressed down by his own military - after West Point stripped the Hollywood star of a long-planned honor. The commander-in-chief cheered on the decision by a West Point alumni group to cancel an award ceremony for Hanks.

The Hollywood actor has a long history of criticizing Trump and is a supporter of Democratic candidates and causes. More recently, back in February, Hanks sparked controversy for an SNL skit where he portrayed a White Trump supporter in a MAGA hat who refuses to shake a black man's hand. 'Our great West Point (getting greater all the time!) has smartly cancelled the Award Ceremony for actor Tom Hanks. Important move!' Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The Hollywood actor has a long history of criticizing Trump and is a supporter of Democratic candidates and causes. More recently, back in February, Hanks sparked controversy for an SNL skit where he portrayed a White Trump supporter in a MAGA hat who refuses to shake a black man's hand. 'Our great West Point (getting greater all the time!) has smartly cancelled the Award Ceremony for actor Tom Hanks. Important move!' Trump wrote on Truth Social.

'We don't need destructive, WOKE recipients getting our cherished American Awards!!!' 'Hopefully the Academy Awards, and other Fake Award Shows, will review their Standards and Practices in the name of Fairness and Justice.' In June, the West Point Association of Graduates announced plans to honor Hanks with the Sylvanius Thayer, which is given to individuals for honoring the West Point motto of 'Duty, Honor, Country.'

'We don't need destructive, WOKE recipients getting our cherished American Awards!!!' 'Hopefully the Academy Awards, and other Fake Award Shows, will review their Standards and Practices in the name of Fairness and Justice.' In June, the West Point Association of Graduates announced plans to honor Hanks with the Sylvanius Thayer, which is given to individuals for honoring the West Point motto of 'Duty, Honor, Country.'

However, the prestigious military college abruptly cancelled the event this weekend without plans for a rescheduled date. West Post faculty received an email on Friday from retired Army Col. Mark Bieger that the academy will not host the event in order to focus on preparing future officers for their military service, according to the Washington Post.

However, the prestigious military college abruptly cancelled the event this weekend without plans for a rescheduled date. West Post faculty received an email on Friday from retired Army Col. Mark Bieger that the academy will not host the event in order to focus on preparing future officers for their military service, according to the Washington Post.

The email did not confirm if Hanks' award had been revoked by the academy. In announcing his award, the West Point alumni group praised Hanks for starring in movie roles that honored military officers, including 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Apollo 13.' The group also highlighted Hanks' role as a producer in 'Band of Brothers,' 'The Pacific', 'Greyhound,' and 'Masters of the Air.'

The email did not confirm if Hanks' award had been revoked by the academy. In announcing his award, the West Point alumni group praised Hanks for starring in movie roles that honored military officers, including 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Apollo 13.' The group also highlighted Hanks' role as a producer in 'Band of Brothers,' 'The Pacific', 'Greyhound,' and 'Masters of the Air.'

During the Biden administration, Hanks previously served as a national spokesperson for the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. The recent award cancellation highlights the Trump administration's desire to distance the military from any organization, group, or individuals the president deems as 'woke.'

During the Biden administration, Hanks previously served as a national spokesperson for the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. The recent award cancellation highlights the Trump administration's desire to distance the military from any organization, group, or individuals the president deems as 'woke.'

Under Pete Hegseth's watch, the Pentagon has cut diversity initiatives throughout the military and rolled back name changes to military bases honoring Confederate leaders. Trump recently signed an executive order changing the Defense Department to the Department of War, claiming the DOD name was too 'wokey.'

Under Pete Hegseth's watch, the Pentagon has cut diversity initiatives throughout the military and rolled back name changes to military bases honoring Confederate leaders. Trump recently signed an executive order changing the Defense Department to the Department of War, claiming the DOD name was too 'wokey.'

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