The official West Point alumni association has canceled an upcoming awards ceremony that was set to honor actor Tom Hanks.
Hanks, long praised for his military-themed films, has also been outspoken in his support of Democrats and criticism of President Donald Trump.
The Decision
Retired Army Col. Mark Bieger, president and CEO of the West Point Association of Graduates, announced the cancellation in an email to members.
The Sylvanus Thayer Award ceremony was scheduled for Sept. 25.
Mark Bieger
Bieger said the move would allow the Academy to keep its focus on “preparing cadets to lead, fight, and win” as future Army officers.
Political Backlash
Hanks has faced criticism from conservatives for his recurring “MAGA” parody character on Saturday Night Live.
He also campaigned for Joe Biden and has publicly taken shots at Trump.
Trump supporters questioned why the nation’s premier military academy would honor a Hollywood liberal who mocked them on national television.
Award History
The Thayer Award is given to non-graduates who exemplify the West Point motto: Duty, Honor, Country.
Hanks was announced as this year’s recipient back in June.
Past honorees have included presidents, generals, and statesmen.
Hanks’ Response
At the time of the announcement, Hanks called the recognition “simply astounding.”
Tom Hanks
He praised West Point’s “legacy of leadership, character, and service to the nation.”
The actor also noted his work on veterans’ causes, including serving as spokesperson for the WWII Memorial in Washington.
Unclear Future
Bieger did not say whether Hanks would still receive the award itself, only that the ceremony was canceled.
That leaves open whether the association will quietly drop him from the list of recipients altogether.
For now, the focus remains on cadets and the Army’s core mission, not a Hollywood event.
