President Donald Trump demanded the Academy Awards overhaul their standards after the West Point Association of Graduates cancelled an award ceremony honoring actor Tom Hanks, posting his criticism on Truth Social Monday morning.
The West Point alumni organization had planned to honor Hanks with the 2025 Sylvanus Thayer Award, their top civilian honor recognizing outstanding citizens who embody “Duty, Honor, Country.” The Washington Post first reported the cancellation of the September ceremony on Monday, September 8, 2025.
Trump celebrated the military academy’s decision, stating on his social media platform that West Point had “smartly cancelled the Award Ceremony for actor Tom Hanks.” He characterized the move as important, arguing that destructive recipients should not receive cherished American awards.
The president then directed his criticism toward Hollywood’s most prominent awards show, calling on the Academy Awards and other award ceremonies to review their standards and practices. Trump claimed such changes would boost the shows’ ratings, which he described as dead, suggesting viewership would surge if organizers implemented his recommended reforms.
The alumni association had announced Hanks’ selection in June 2025, with board chair Robert McDonald praising the actor’s contributions to military representation. McDonald indicated that Hanks had done more for positive portrayals of American service members than many other Americans through his decades of work.
Hanks, 69, has built a reputation as a longtime advocate for veterans and military heritage through his film roles and charitable work. His military-themed performances include starring in “Saving Private Ryan” and producing “Band of Brothers,” while his advocacy extends to supporting the Eisenhower memorial and the National WWII Museum.
The Sylvanus Thayer Award honors individuals who did not attend West Point but demonstrate the military academy’s core values. The award ceremony was scheduled to take place in September 2025 as part of the alumni association’s annual recognition program.
Trump described West Point as “getting greater all the time” in his Monday morning post, suggesting the institution’s decision reflected improved judgment. He framed the cancellation as part of a broader pattern of institutions reconsidering their award recipients based on what he termed fairness and justice principles.
The president’s comments reflect his ongoing criticism of what he perceives as liberal bias in entertainment industry recognition. His demand for Academy Awards reforms comes amid his broader campaign against institutions he views as promoting progressive ideology.
Trump delivered the commencement address at West Point’s 2025 graduation ceremony earlier this year, maintaining his relationship with the military academy. His praise for the alumni association’s decision aligns with his frequent criticism of Hollywood celebrities and award ceremonies.
The actor had also participated in a Biden fundraiser, which may have influenced the timing and reasoning behind the award cancellation. Hanks’ political activities have occasionally drawn criticism from conservative circles, though his military advocacy work has generally received bipartisan support.
The West Point Association of Graduates operates independently from the military academy itself, making decisions about civilian honors through its board of directors. The organization has not issued additional statements explaining the specific reasoning behind cancelling Hanks’ ceremony.
Trump’s call for Academy Awards reforms represents his latest criticism of Hollywood institutions, which he has frequently targeted throughout his political career. His suggestion that ratings would improve with different standards reflects his ongoing battle with entertainment industry figures who have criticized his administration.
