President Donald Trump had a full-on social media meltdown Monday, praising the alumni affiliation on the U.S. Army Academy at West Level for “smartly” canceling an awards ceremony for actor, veterans advocate, and nationwide treasure Tom Hanks.
“Important move!” Trump raged on Fact Social. “We don’t need destructive, WOKE recipients getting our cherished American Awards!!!”
“The war on woke” by Clay Bennett
The ceremony, set for Sept. 25, would have honored Hanks with the Sylvanus Thayer Award, recognizing a non-West Level alum who embodies the academy’s beliefs of “duty, honor, and country.” Hanks’ advocacy for veterans and his iconic portrayals of service members made him a pure decide.
Trump, as normal, combined up the academy and the alumni group, praising “our great West Point (getting greater all the time!)” as if the establishment itself had made the decision.
The episode is simply the most recent instance of Trump’s long-standing feud with celebrities who surpass him in fame. Recall Taylor Swift, whom he known as “no longer hot” (on two separate events) after she endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2024, solely to vary his tune after she received engaged final month to Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce.
“I wish them a lot of luck. I think he’s a great player. I think he’s a great guy, and I think that she’s a terrific person,” Trump stated.
Trump’s goal listing extends past Swift. In Might, he known as for a “major investigation” into superstar endorsements, claiming that Harris’ marketing campaign should have illegally paid stars like Beyoncé, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, and Bruce Springsteen as a result of they supported her over him. And final month, he recommended that he may personally look into NBC late-night host Seth Meyers after the community prolonged Meyers’ contract via 2028. Meyers, like different late-night hosts Trump despises, regularly criticizes the president.
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On this context, his assault on Hanks matches a well-known sample. Hanks has been a vocal supporter of former President Joe Biden, narrated a video marking the primary anniversary of his presidency, and not too long ago portrayed a racist Trump supporter on “Saturday Night Live.” Trump’s obsession with celebrities who problem him politically, like Hanks, Springsteen, and Swift, is constant and relentless.
In the meantime, Hanks’ file stands by itself. He’s a champion of U.S. service members and veterans, portraying them in movies like “Saving Private Ryan” and “Forrest Gump,” and supporting memorials and museums nationwide. He has lengthy supported Democrats, together with Biden, who defeated Trump in 2020.
Trump’s fixation with so-called cultural liberalism extends past Hollywood. Since returning to the White Home, Trump and Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth have been on a mission to root it out from the army, together with phasing out “woke” variety, fairness, and inclusion applications.
On Monday, throughout a speech in Washington, Trump framed the West Level alumni group’s choice as a part of that very same effort, evaluating it to pulling a cussed “weed.” He additionally praised the cancellation as “appropriate” and urged different awards exhibits to comply with swimsuit.
“Hopefully the Academy Awards, and other Fake Award Shows, will review their Standards and Practices in the name of Fairness and Justice,” he stated. “Watch their DEAD RATINGS SURGE!”
However Hanks doesn’t want Trump’s approval. Two Oscars, seven Emmys, and eight Golden Globes reveal a profession that speaks for itself—and he’s earned respect as a lifelong advocate for veterans and public service.
