Termination of Honorary Title for A-list actor Tom Hanks; Trump expresses satisfaction - Trump expresses satisfaction over the cancellation of a tribute planned for Hollywood actor Tom Hanks
In a surprising turn of events, the award ceremony for actor Tom Hanks, scheduled at West Point, has been cancelled. The Sylvanus Thayer Award, a prestigious honour bestowed upon outstanding citizens of the USA, was to be given to Hanks in 2025, in recognition of his portrayal of U.S. military personnel and his services and achievements in the national interest.
The cancellation of the ceremony has been linked to the presidency of Donald Trump, who expressed delight over the decision, while the U.S. Military Academy at West Point emphasised its focus on its core mission of training cadets. The Thayer Award, named after the Academy's first Superintendent, Sylvanus Thayer, is given to those whose achievements and contributions embody the ideals of West Point's motto: 'Duty, Honor, Country'. Previous recipients include former President Barack Obama.
Tom Hanks, known for his clear criticism of Donald Trump, has served as a US spokesperson for a memorial campaign for World War II and was the producer of three miniseries about the war: "Band of Brothers", "The Pacific", and "Masters of the Air". He also played army commanders in "The Soldier James Ryan" and "Greyhound".
In a separate incident, materials on diversity, anti-racism, and transgender issues were seized from West Point libraries in May. However, it is not clear if this is directly related to the cancellation of Hanks' award ceremony.
In 2021, Hanks hosted the "Celebrating America" event marking the inauguration of Joe Biden. The WPAOG (West Point Alumni Association) noted that a large portion of Hanks' five-decade career reflects his support for veterans, the military, and the American space program.
It remains unclear if Hanks will still receive the award without a ceremony. The exact timing of when the order to cancel the award ceremony was made is also not specified.
Despite the cancellation, Hanks' Thayer Award announcement in 2021 by the West Point Alumni Association was met with delight from another notable figure - Tom Hanks expressed his delight at the prospect of visiting West Point as part of the planned award ceremony.
