Former President Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy by taking aim at Hollywood icon Tom Hanks, following the U.S. Military Academy at West Point’s sudden decision to cancel a planned ceremony honoring the actor.

In a Truth Social post on September 8, Trump praised the move to cancel the Thayer Award ceremony for Hanks, calling it an “important decision.” He went further, declaring that so-called “woke” and “destructive” people should not receive America’s most cherished honors. Trump also urged prestigious award shows, including the Oscars, to “review their standards and practices in the name of fairness and justice,” mocking that “watch their dead ratings surge.”

Why Did West Point Reverse Course?

Back in June, West Point announced that Hanks would receive the 2025 Thayer Award, an annual honor recognizing individuals for outstanding service to the nation. Hanks was chosen in part due to his iconic portrayals of American servicemen in films such as Saving Private Ryan and Forrest Gump.

But according to The Washington Post, an email from the West Point Alumni Association president on September 6 informed members that the event had been canceled. No official explanation has been given, and West Point has yet to comment publicly.

Tom Hanks: Beloved Star, Frequent Trump Critic

After being named as the 2025 recipient, Hanks expressed gratitude, saying that to be recognized by an institution whose graduates have shaped U.S. history through “selfless service” was both “humbling and meaningful.”

However, the two-time Oscar winner has long been a thorn in Trump’s side. Hanks has been outspoken against the former president and publicly supported Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and most recently Kamala Harris in the past three presidential elections. To Trump and his supporters, Hanks has become emblematic of “liberal Hollywood elites” — a group the former president often criticizes.

Silence From Hanks and West Point

So far, Hanks’ representatives have not commented on Trump’s latest remarks, and it remains unclear if the actor will still be presented with the Thayer Award in another format.

The controversy highlights the growing polarization at the intersection of American politics and culture: an actor globally admired for his compassion and artistry has become the subject of a political storm, not for his work, but for his outspoken beliefs.