Tom Hanks was once America’s sweetheart. From Forrest Gump to Saving Private Ryan to Apollo 13, he played the everyman hero we could all cheer for. But in recent years, Hanks has gone from respected actor to Hollywood liberal crusader, using his platform to take cheap shots at conservatives and mock Donald Trump supporters. And now, West Point has decided enough is enough — canceling his big award ceremony later this month. Good for them.
West Point’s Duty Is Not Hollywood’s Drama
The U.S. Military Academy doesn’t exist to hand out trophies to Hollywood elites. Its mission is clear: prepare cadets to lead, fight, and win. That’s what Col. Mark Bieger, head of the West Point Association of Graduates, said in his email announcing the cancellation. And he’s absolutely right. The focus should be on future Army officers, not giving Tom Hanks a standing ovation for playing dress-up as Captain Miller.
Hollywood vs. Heartland
Let’s be honest — this isn’t about Hanks’s acting talent. Nobody denies the man has range. The problem is that Tom Hanks the actor isn’t the same as Tom Hanks the man. He’s spent years openly bashing conservatives, supporting Joe Biden, and mocking Trump supporters on Saturday Night Live. His “Doug the MAGA guy” character wasn’t clever satire — it was condescension. If you want to honor someone who truly lives “Duty, Honor, Country,” maybe pick someone who doesn’t ridicule half the country for laughs.
Gary Sinise Did It Better
If West Point wanted to pick a Hollywood figure who actually earned respect from veterans, they already did. Gary Sinise, Hanks’s Forrest Gump co-star, has built homes for wounded veterans, toured war zones with his band, and given countless hours to veteran charities. That’s action, not acting. Hanks may have portrayed a soldier, but Sinise has lived out the principles in real life. There’s a difference.
Hanks’s Own Words Fall Flat
When Hanks was first announced as the award recipient back in June, he called it “simply astounding” and praised West Point’s legacy of leadership. Nice words. But words mean less when they come from someone who constantly uses his celebrity megaphone to slam half the country. You don’t get to stand for unity while spending your career dividing Americans into the “enlightened Hollywood elite” and the “unwashed masses.”
The Right Call by West Point
In the end, this isn’t “cancel culture.” This is accountability. West Point doesn’t owe Tom Hanks a ceremony, especially when his politics and public behavior clash with the values they’re supposed to uphold. The cadets of today — and the soldiers of tomorrow — deserve better role models than a Hollywood star who’s traded humility for smug politics. West Point showed backbone here, and for that, they deserve applause.
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Wow, thank you West Point. Time that some of these so-called “Americans” get their comeuppance. I have lost total respect for Hanks.
Hanks is a classic house angel who is really a street devil!
When can we as people stop worshipping these people, the whole body of entertainers, including sports stars and musicians. These people are only doing their jobs, and unfortunately the quality of tv and movies and music has deteriorated to garbage. Most music is disgusting, the only movies coming out are another super hero movie and try to find a tv show that’s not weird and has a demonic under tow If they would add some morality to everything, maybe make the good guy not a total mess , maybe people will turn back to some more wholesome entertainment. And sports players need to stop congratulating them selves on every play. Do your jobs , shut up and play the game.
Paraphrasing William F. Buckley, I would put more faith and trust in being governed by randomly selected names from a phone book than the Hollywood illuminati.
Thank you West Point, time for the best Americans to be celebrated. God Bless you!!
West Point deserves the award for standing with the soldiers of tomorrow. West Point gets my applause.
Entertainers idolize themselves thinking America bows down to their every word and will follow their lead, think again. Stick to your job and stop bashing American’s who don’t agree with you. Are you that insecure?
Gary Sinise is the perfect example actors should follow and show respect to America’s people.
Thank you, West Point, for this decision. Gary Sinise would be great for this honor.
I guess that in a few years Tom Hanks will catch up to Robert Di Nero as being a washed up has been who hates anything and everything the “normal” Americans cherish! Glad that West Point
opted to give their marching boot to Forest Gump!
Thank you West Point. Tom Hanks really doesn’t support American values.
Tom Hanks = no bueno