Introduction to the Controversy
Four years after Fox News claimed that "cancel culture" had come for Tom Hanks because he wasn’t "woke" enough, Donald Trump celebrated that a West Point alumni group had canceled an award ceremony for the multiple Oscar winner for being "woke". In addition, the President suggested that the Academy Awards and other organizations should follow their decision on "fairness and justice" to prevent other "destructive" recipients from receiving their "valued American Awards".
Background on the Cancellation
The cancellation comes after the West Point alumni association had announced that it would honor Hanks for his work as an "outstanding citizen" who embodies the ideals of "duty, honor, and country" through his advocacy for veterans and his portrayal of military service members on screen. In his announcement in June, the association stated that the 69-year-old actor would receive the prestigious Sylvanus Thayer Award and noted that he had done more for the positive representation of American service members, care for American veterans, and the American space program than many other Americans.
Hanks’ Contributions Recognized
In addition to Hanks’ support for the creation of the World War II Museum and his role as national chairman of the founding of the National Museum of World War II in New Orleans, the association also highlighted his work in films such as Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, and Greyhound. They also noted that Hanks had contributed to producing the miniseries Band of Brothers and The Pacific.
Trump’s Reaction
The retired Col. Mark Bieger, President and CEO of the West Point Association of Graduates, told the faculty on Friday that the group had canceled the planned ceremony and parade, which was set to take place on September 25th. According to Bieger’s email, this decision enables the academy to concentrate on its core mission, to prepare, lead, fight, and win as officers in the US Army. Trump tweeted, "Our great West Point (always better!) intelligently canceled their award ceremony for the actor Tom Hanks. Important step! We don’t need a destructive, woke recipient who receives our esteemed American Awards!!!"
Hanks’ Support for Democratic Causes
Hanks has long been a supporter of Democratic causes and presidents – he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama. This, combined with his recent comedic portrayal of a Trump voter on Saturday Night Live, has likely fueled the President’s celebration of the award ceremony cancellation. Hanks was critical of Trump in recent years when he campaigned for former President Joe Biden.
Hanks’ Criticism of Trump
After Biden’s election victory in 2020 and Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud, which culminated in the January 6th Capitol riots, Hanks hosted a television event organized by the Biden Inaugural Committee. During the program, Hanks lamented the "deep divisions and a disturbing rancor" that Trump had helped spread in recent years. In a separate video a year later, Hanks praised Biden’s handling of the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic and explained that the country was stronger than it was a year ago.
Right-Wing Media Defense
While Hanks’ criticism of MAGA has long been criticized for his liberal tendencies and Democratic associations, right-wing media have also defended him against so-called "cancel culture". For example, in 2021, Fox News targeted an NPR TV critic for writing a column in which Hanks was labeled as "anti-racist" as a "non-racist", claiming the piece was another example of the liberal establishment trying to "cancel" a prominent figure because he wasn’t "woke" enough.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Tom Hanks and the cancellation of the award ceremony at West Point highlights the deep divisions in American society and the ongoing culture wars. While some have praised Hanks for his support of Democratic causes and his criticism of Trump, others have criticized him for being "woke" and have defended him against cancel culture. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between different political ideologies and the impact they have on American society.
