President Donald Trump affirmed his support for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point cancelling an award celebration for Tom Hanks.
The university's alumni group had been scheduled to host a Sept. 25 ceremony and parade honoring the Oscar-winning actor and veterans advocate, but the group's president and CEO Mark Bieger announced via internal email the formalities would be abandoned so the Army could focus on its core mission of "preparing cadets to lead, fight, and win."
"Our great West Point (getting greater all the time!) has smartly cancelled the Award Ceremony for actor Tom Hanks," Trump posted Monday morning on Truth Social. "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!"
The 69-year-old actor has been a longtime veterans advocate and served as national spokesman for the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., but he has also been a public supporter of Democratic presidential candidates and outspoken critic of Trump, whom he's described as a "self-involved gas bag."
"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," said West Point Association of Graduates board chairman Robert A. McDonald in a June statement announcing the now-canceled event.
Hanks, who has starred in and produced military-centered movies such as "Saving Private Ryan" and "Forrest Gump," will still receive the prestigious Sylvanus Thayer Award, the most prized civilian accolade given by West Point.
