Washington: President Donald Trump expressed approval on Monday after the West Point alumni association decided to cancel an award ceremony intended to honor actor Tom Hanks. Trump criticized Hanks, labeling him as “destructive” and “WOKE” in a post on his social media platform.
Hanks was set to receive the 2025 Sylvanus Thayer Award on September 25. However, the ceremony was called off last week, as reported by various news outlets. The Sylvanus Thayer Award, named after an early superintendent of the military academy, has been awarded annually since 1958 to individuals whose service and accomplishments reflect the ideals of West Point’s motto: “Duty, Honour, Country.”
“Important move!” Trump declared. “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.”
Representatives from West Point, its alumni association, and Hanks did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. This development occurs as Trump seeks to influence the direction of higher education institutions and the military, employing executive orders and potential legal actions to assert control.
Trump’s Influence on Military and Education Policies
In recent months, the Trump administration has taken steps to shape the leadership and ideology within military and educational institutions. This summer, the Army secretary was directed to review West Point’s hiring practices, restrict external groups from selecting employees, and remove a newly appointed hire who previously led the nation’s cybersecurity agency under President Joe Biden.
Earlier this year, West Point disbanded several cadet clubs focused on ethnicity, gender, race, and sexuality, aligning with the Trump administration’s broader effort to eliminate diversity programs across the government. Additionally, the academy restored a painting of General Robert E. Lee in Confederate uniform, reflecting Trump’s ongoing campaign to reinstate Confederate symbols and monuments.
The Legacy of the Sylvanus Thayer Award
The Sylvanus Thayer Award is a prestigious honor recognizing individuals who exemplify dedication to national service. Robert McDonald, chairman of the West Point Association of Graduates, praised Hanks in a June press release, stating,
“Tom Hanks has done more for the positive portrayal of the American service member, more for the caring of the American veteran, their caregivers, and their family, and more for the American space program and all branches of government than many other Americans.”
Retired Army Colonel Mark Bieger, president and CEO of the association, explained in an email that the cancellation allows the academy to focus on its core mission of preparing cadets to lead and win as officers in the U.S. Army. Last year’s recipient of the award was former President Barack Obama.
Tom Hanks: A Politically Active Figure
Tom Hanks is known for his active involvement in political and social causes, often supporting Democratic politicians and progressive initiatives. He has publicly endorsed figures such as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden, and participated in various campaigns and civic engagement efforts.
In 2012, Hanks narrated a documentary for Obama’s reelection campaign and hosted a television special for Biden’s inauguration in 2021. He also contributed to a Biden Inaugural Committee advertisement highlighting the president’s accomplishments and served as a co-chair for When We All Vote, an organization founded by Michelle Obama to increase voter participation.
Hanks has been vocal in his criticism of Trump and his policies. In 2016, he described Trump as a “self-involved gasbag” and later condemned actions such as the attempted travel ban on Muslim-majority countries. During Biden’s inauguration, Hanks addressed the nation’s divisions and warned against misinformation in a Harvard commencement speech.
The cancellation of the award ceremony and Trump’s subsequent comments highlight the ongoing cultural and political tensions in the United States. As the nation continues to grapple with these issues, the impact on institutions like West Point and figures like Tom Hanks remains a focal point of public discourse.
