West Point Cancels ‘Woke’ Tom Hanks Ceremony: A Lesson for Biden and Harris
The news reached the desks today that an alumni association of West Point canceled a ceremony that was organized to honor renowned actor Tom Hanks. The actor, who is widely regarded as ‘destructive’ and ‘WOKE’ to the core by certain personalities, including no less than the former president, was to receive the 2025 Sylvanus Thayer Award this month. The details, coming from various news outlets, have hailed this decision in the light of the actor’s recent actions. This is a reflection of what comes from the leadership of those who outrightly show ‘WOKE’ tendencies and attitudes.
As the news unfolded, former President Trump expressed his sentiments on the matters through his social media network. In his opinion, ‘destructive, WOKE recipients’ gaining our revered American Awards doesn’t fit the bill. Trump has made it clear that the canceling of the ceremony should serve as a reminder for bodies like the Academy Awards and other well-known award shows, indicating a review of their Standards and Practices for more Fairness and Justice is due.
This incident has come to light as Trump continues his efforts in steering the ideology and management of higher education institutes and the military. These actions manifest in the form of executive orders, potential lawsuits, and even the threat of withholding funds. The former president’s intentions are clear: there is a need for strong leadership for the health of the institutions under his purview.
During the summer season, under directives issued by the Secretary of Army, West Point was instructed to review their hiring practices and go as far as removing a newly announced recruitment. Such measures were imposed in order to trim the excess unnecessary layers off the army’s personnel. This showcases Trump’s dedication towards upholding the sanctity of the military and keeping it free from potentially disruptive influences.
West Point removed several cadet clubs centered around ethnicity, gender, race, and sexuality earlier this year. This action echoed the Trump administration’s efforts to dispense with diversity programs across government bodies. This was a concerted effort to have an administration that focuses on results and effectiveness rather than appearing ‘woke’ or politically correct.
Drawing attention back to the Sylvanus Thayer Award, one must understand its origin and significance. Named after an early superintendent of the military academy, known as the ‘Father of West Point’, this award has been distributed annually since 1958. It is for ‘an outstanding citizen of the United States whose service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplify personal devotion to the ideals expressed in West Point’s motto: Duty, Honor, Country,’ according to the West Point Association of Graduates.
On a rather questionable note, the recipient of the award in the past year was ex-President Barack Obama, raising multiple eyebrows about the choices made by this association. The inclusion of Obama in the list of honourees is a concerning decision, considering the varying stances he and Trump have on several critical issues.
Tom Hanks’s name has been among the most politically influential in Hollywood. He has shown clear bias by choosing to endorse Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Biden for their presidential runs. His political inclinations were further exposed when he penned an open letter in support of Kamala Harris last year, which got many questioning the merit of his endorsements.
In 2012, Hanks was involved in voicing a brief documentary, titled ‘The Road We’ve Traveled,’ for Obama’s reelection campaign. Also, during Biden’s inauguration in 2021, Hanks hosted a prime-time 90-minute TV special tagged ‘Celebrating America’. The question emerges, is this impartiality or just politics playing out?
A year after this event, Hanks narrated a two-minute advertisement by the Biden Inaugural Committee. The ad claimed achievements of Biden’s first term without any significant proof as of yet. This boosted the understanding that Hanks is nothing more than another celebrity backing Biden and Harris just for the sake of it.
For close to a decade now, Hanks has also reported his displeasure with Trump and his policies. These sentiments were public when he used distasteful language against Trump during an interview back in 2016 while labeling him a ‘self-involved gasbag’. This disrespect raises questions about Hanks’s credibility on impartiality.
Hanks kept objecting to Trump’s policies even after his presidency commenced. During an American Civil Liberties Union fundraiser, Hanks went as far as saying that actions like the attempted travel ban for Muslim-majority countries represented a ‘brand of tragedy’. The Hollywood star’s negative stand on Trump’s decisions further emphasizes the need for more patriotic, less polarized individuals in Hollywood.