West Point Cancels Tom Hanks Award Ceremony, Trump Weighs In
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point has canceled a planned ceremony that would have honored actor Tom Hanks with the Sylvanus Thayer Award, one of its most prestigious civilian distinctions.
The award, given annually by the West Point Association of Graduates, recognizes civilians whose achievements exemplify the academy’s motto: Duty, Honor, Country. Hanks had been scheduled to receive the honor on September 25, 2025, but the association announced on September 6 that the event would no longer be held.
In a message to faculty, retired Col. Mark Bieger, the association’s president and CEO, said the cancellation reflected West Point’s focus on its central mission of training cadets to lead and serve in the Army. It remains unclear whether Hanks will still be presented with the award at another time or in another format.
Hanks, who has portrayed military figures in films such as Saving Private Ryan and Forrest Gump, has also been recognized for his support of veterans and military-related causes. In June, when the award was first announced, Hanks described the honor as “simply astounding,” noting it would coincide with his first visit to the academy. He has not commented publicly on the cancellation.
Former President Donald Trump responded to the development on his social media platform, calling the decision “important” and “smart.” He criticized what he described as “woke” award recipients and suggested that cultural institutions, including the Academy Awards, should adopt reforms to improve fairness and credibility.
The cancellation comes shortly after Trump announced plans to award former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The episode also reflects Trump’s history of criticizing Hollywood figures and awards ceremonies, which he has previously labeled as politically biased or out of touch.
For now, the future of Hanks’s recognition remains unresolved, and the academy has not indicated whether the award will be conferred at a later date.