Donald Trump just fired a shot at Hollywood’s elite, targeting Tom Hanks after West Point scrapped a ceremony honoring the actor, as the U.S. Sun reports. The president didn’t hold back, cheering the decision as a stand against “woke” culture. His latest Truth Social post doubles down, urging the Oscars to ditch progressive stars to save their sinking ratings.
Trump’s comments came after the U.S. Military Academy at West Point canceled a Sept. 25 event meant to honor Hanks with the Sylvanus Thayer Award. The decision followed a change of course by the academy’s alumni group leaders. This award, said to recognize outstanding citizens embodying “Duty, Honor, and Country,” will still be given to Hanks, despite the canceled ceremony.
West Point’s move sparked Trump’s glee, as he praised the academy for avoiding “destructive, WOKE recipients” in a fiery Truth Social post. He sees this as a victory against Hollywood’s creeping progressivism. The former president didn’t stop there, aiming for the Academy Awards for their declining viewership.
The 2025 Oscars drew just 18 million viewers, an 8% drop from the 19.7 million who tuned in the previous year, per Nielsen stats. Trump claims the solution is simple: ditch the woke actors and watch ratings “surge.” His advice to Academy executives is a blunt call to rethink their “practices” and prioritize mainstream appeal.
Mark Bieger, a former U.S. Army colonel, defended West Point’s decision, saying it keeps the focus on training cadets to lead the “world’s most lethal force.” His words suggest a shift away from celebrity pageantry. Trump’s supporters likely see this as a nod to traditional values over Hollywood’s influence.
Hanks, a two-time Oscar winner for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, expressed pride in June when named for the Thayer Award. “To be recognized by an institution whose graduates have shaped our country’s history through selfless service is both humbling and meaningful,” he said. Yet, Trump’s base views such honors as out-of-touch elitism.
Hanks’ past criticism of Trump hasn’t helped his case with MAGA fans. A Saturday Night Live skit, where he played a white Trump supporter with a rural accent, drew heavy fire from conservatives. The sketch, part of Black Jeopardy!, saw Hanks snub the host, played by Kenan Thompson, leaving Trump supporters fuming.
The backlash from that skit still lingers, with many seeing Hanks as a symbol of Hollywood’s disconnect. His refusal to shake the host’s hand in the sketch was viewed as a cheap caricature of Trump voters. For conservatives, it’s another example of Tinseltown mocking Middle America.
Trump’s call to overhaul the Oscars taps into a broader frustration with celebrity culture. He argues that “woke” stars alienate everyday viewers who crave entertainment, not lectures. The declining ratings seem to back his point, as audiences tune out in droves.
Hanks, who voiced Woody in the Toy Story series and portrayed Chesley Sullenberger in Sully, is no stranger to acclaim. His Oscar wins for Philadelphia in 1994 and Forrest Gump in 1995 cemented his status as a Hollywood titan. Yet, Trump’s critique suggests these accolades don’t resonate with heartland viewers.
The Sylvanus Thayer Award, named for West Point’s fifth superintendent from 1817 to 1833, is meant to honor exemplary citizens. Hanks’ selection initially seemed fitting, given his roles portraying American heroes. But for Trump’s base, his perceived political jabs overshadow any onscreen valor.
Trump’s Truth Social rant framed the West Point cancellation as a win for traditional values. He called out “destructive” recipients who, in his view, undermine cherished American institutions. The message resonates with those tired of Hollywood’s moral posturing.
The Oscars’ viewership slide -- from 19.7 million in 2024 to 18 million in 2025—signals a disconnect with audiences. Trump’s suggestion to drop woke stars isn’t just a jab at Hanks; it’s a challenge to an industry seen as out of step. Conservatives argue that awards shows have become platforms for progressive agendas, not entertainment.
Hanks’ nominations for Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood show his range, but they don’t shield him from criticism. His SNL skit and vocal anti-Trump stance make him a lightning rod for conservative ire. To MAGA supporters, he’s less a national treasure than a symbol of elite disdain.
Trump’s broader point is clear: institutions like West Point and the Oscars should reflect America’s heart, not Hollywood’s politics. Whether his call sparks change remains to be seen, but the declining ratings and canceled ceremony suggest he’s striking a chord. For now, the battle against “woke” culture rages on, with Hanks caught in the crossfire.
