Trump Praises West Point Cancelling Tom Hanks Award Ceremony

President Donald Trump praised the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for canceling a ceremony that was to honor actor Tom Hanks with the Sylvanus Thayer Award, labeling Hanks as a "destructive, woke recipient." The award, which recognizes individuals embodying the academy's ideals of duty, honor, and country, was meant to celebrate Hanks' advocacy for veterans and his portrayals of military figures in films such as "Saving Private Ryan." The cancellation was announced by Mark Bieger, president and CEO of the West Point Association of Graduates, who stated it would allow the academy to focus on its core mission of preparing cadets for military leadership. Trump criticized Hanks for his political stances and involvement with Democratic candidates, while Hanks has been a longtime supporter of veterans and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The president also suggested that other award shows might reconsider their honoree selections in the name of fairness and justice, predicting a surge in their ratings. The decision has become part of the broader cultural and political debates surrounding awards and recognitions in America.