President Donald Trump has called for sweeping changes to Academy Awards standards following the cancellation of a prestigious military honor for actor Tom Hanks. The West Point Association of Graduates scrapped its ceremony to honor Hanks with the 2025 Sylvanus Thayer Award, prompting Trump to demand similar reforms from Hollywood’s most prominent awards show.
In a Truth Social post last Monday, Trump praised the military academy’s decision and connected it to broader concerns about entertainment industry recognition. Trump wrote: “We don’t need destructive, WOKE recipients getting our cherished American Awards!!!” He then called on the Academy Awards to review their standards, suggesting such changes would boost viewership ratings.
The Washington Post first reported that the West Point Association of Graduates would not honor Hanks this year with their top civilian recognition. The Sylvanus Thayer Award recognizes outstanding citizens who did not attend West Point but embody the values of “Duty, Honor, Country.” The alumni organization announced Hanks’ selection in June, citing his decades of work portraying and supporting service members and veterans.
Board chair Robert McDonald said at the time that Hanks had done more for the positive portrayal of American service members than many other Americans. The 69-year-old actor has maintained longtime advocacy for veterans and military heritage through his roles in “Saving Private Ryan” and “Band of Brothers,” as well as his support for the Eisenhower memorial and the National WWII Museum.
The ceremony cancellation followed political turbulence at the academy this year, according to the Post report. Jason Dempsey, an alumnus and former instructor, indicated that leaders would have been uncomfortable in the current environment. He described the situation as an example of someone being good for the military but not perfectly aligned with current partisan priorities.
Trump delivered the commencement address at the 2025 graduation ceremony at the West Point Military Academy. His praise for the award cancellation came as part of his broader critique of what he characterized as unfair recognition practices in major American awards ceremonies.
The president argued that entertainment awards shows should follow West Point’s example, claiming this would lead to increased public interest. He specifically targeted the Academy Awards, suggesting that revised standards and practices would cause their ratings to surge significantly.
Hanks has previously been critical of Trump and spoke at a Biden fundraiser in 2020. He also hosted the Celebrating America broadcast in 2021. Whether the actor will still receive the Sylvanus Thayer Award at a later date remains unclear following the ceremony cancellation.
The cancellation represents a significant shift for an award that traditionally honors civilians who exemplify military values without having attended the military academy. The recognition has historically been presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to their country through various civilian roles and contributions.
Trump’s call for Academy Awards reform reflects his ongoing criticism of Hollywood institutions and their selection processes. His suggestion that entertainment industry awards shows should adopt new fairness and justice standards echoes broader political debates about recognition criteria in American cultural institutions.
The connection between military honors and entertainment awards represents an unusual crossover in Trump’s public statements. His Monday Truth Social post linked the West Point decision directly to his expectations for how other major American awards ceremonies should operate.
No indication exists that the White House ordered the West Point ceremony scrapping, according to reporting. The decision appears to have emerged from internal considerations at the military academy rather than external political pressure from federal officials.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has not responded to requests for comment regarding Trump’s call for standards review. The organization typically maintains independence in its selection processes and award criteria, operating separately from government influence or political considerations.
The West Point Association of Graduates’ decision marks a rare instance of a major military honor being cancelled after initial announcement. The Sylvanus Thayer Award has maintained its status as one of the most prestigious civilian recognitions from American military institutions since its establishment.