On September 8, 2025, a decision by the West Point Association of Graduates to cancel an award ceremony honoring actor Tom Hanks sent ripples through both the military and entertainment communities. The move, which was met with both praise and criticism, quickly became a lightning rod for broader debates about politics, patriotism, and the meaning of public service in America.
The award in question was the prestigious Sylvanus Thayer Award, traditionally given to U.S. citizens whose service and accomplishments exemplify the ideals expressed in West Point’s motto: "Duty, Honor, Country." Hanks, a two-time Oscar winner best known for his roles in Saving Private Ryan and as an executive producer of military-themed miniseries like Band of Brothers and The Pacific, was slated to receive the honor at a ceremony scheduled for September 25, 2025. The recognition also acknowledged his real-world advocacy for veterans, including his work as spokesperson for the National World War II Memorial and as chairperson for the D-Day Museum Capital Campaign.
Yet, just weeks before the event, the West Point Association of Graduates abruptly pulled the plug. According to The Washington Post, retired Army Col. Mark Bieger, the association’s president and CEO, notified faculty of the cancellation in an email. Bieger explained the decision as a way for the Academy to "continue its focus on its core mission of preparing cadets to lead, fight, and win as officers in the world’s most lethal force, the United States Army." The message, while diplomatic on its face, left many wondering about the true motivations behind the move.
President Donald Trump wasted no time weighing in. Taking to Truth Social, Trump lauded the cancellation, writing, "Our great West Point (getting greater all the time!) has smartly cancelled the Award Ceremony for actor Tom Hanks. Important move! 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. Watch their DEAD RATINGS SURGE!" (Deadline, Variety).
Trump’s post not only targeted Hanks but also took a swipe at Hollywood and the Academy Awards, continuing a long-running pattern of public feuds with prominent figures in the entertainment industry. As Variety noted, the former president has a history of using social media to criticize actors he deems out of step with his values, including recent barbs directed at George Clooney.
For many observers, the cancellation of the ceremony was more than just an internal matter for West Point. MSNBC commentators described the decision as "remarkably petty," highlighting the sense among some that the move was driven by political calculation rather than a genuine reassessment of the Academy’s priorities. The timing—coming on the heels of Hanks’ public criticisms of Trump and his support for Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden—only fueled speculation.
Indeed, Hanks has not shied away from voicing his opinions on the state of American democracy. In a June 2024 interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Hanks was asked whether he would worry about the country’s "commitment to democracy and freedom" if Trump secured a second term. Hanks replied, "I think there’s always reason to be worried about the short term. But I look at the longer term of what happened, I think there’s an ongoing—look, our Constitution says, ‘We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union’—that journey to a more perfect union has missteps in it." (The Hill).
Despite his occasional forays into political commentary, Hanks has generally maintained a reputation for bipartisanship, especially in his work supporting veterans. Alongside the late Senator Bob Dole, he served as a spokesperson for the National World War II Memorial and has been recognized by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation for his advocacy on behalf of caregivers of wounded veterans. His Instagram feed, in recent months, has promoted voter registration and Hanks-branded coffee, with proceeds benefiting veterans’ organizations.
Still, the perception of Hanks as a "woke" figure—however loosely defined—has become a sticking point for some on the political right. Trump’s Truth Social post made no bones about his view, labeling Hanks a "destructive, woke recipient" and suggesting that the Academy Awards and similar institutions should reconsider their standards. For Trump’s supporters, the decision to cancel the ceremony was a necessary stand against what they see as the politicization of American honors and a reassertion of traditional values.
Others, however, see the episode as evidence of creeping partisanship in spaces that were once above the political fray. As MSNBC reported, the West Point Association of Graduates’ move drew criticism from those who viewed it as an unnecessary politicization of a nonpartisan honor. The fact that neither Bieger nor representatives for the alumni association responded to requests for comment only deepened the sense of opacity surrounding the decision.
For the moment, it remains unclear whether Hanks will receive the Thayer Award at a later date or if the honor has been rescinded altogether. As of September 8, 2025, Hanks has not commented publicly on the cancellation. His publicist and representatives for the West Point Association of Graduates have likewise remained silent, leaving supporters and critics alike to speculate about what comes next.
The cancellation has also reignited longstanding debates about the intersection of culture, politics, and military tradition. On one side, there are those who argue that honoring figures like Hanks—whose work has brought attention to the sacrifices of military personnel—serves to bridge the gap between civilian and military life. On the other, some contend that such honors should be reserved for those whose views and actions align more closely with the current priorities of the armed forces.
What’s certain is that the episode has thrust West Point, Tom Hanks, and the broader conversation about American identity into the spotlight. The story has become a touchstone for discussions about who gets to define "service" and "patriotism" in an increasingly polarized nation. As the dust settles, the fate of the Thayer Award—and the broader implications for civil-military relations—remain to be seen.
For now, the canceled ceremony stands as a symbol of the cultural and political divides that continue to shape public life in the United States, reminding us that even the most storied institutions are not immune to the currents of change and controversy.
