West Point Cancels Prestigious Award Ceremony Celebrating A-List Actor

A-List Actor Announced as 2025 Sylvanus Thayer Award Recipient

Back in July of 2025, it was announced that an A-list celebrity would receive the Sylvanus Thayer Award from West Point.

According to the West Point website, the Thayer Award has been given out since 1958. The award is given to a US citizen, who isn't a West Point graduate. The person selected for the Thayer Award has:

outstanding character, accomplishments, and stature in the civilian community draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.”

The award recipient must agree to accept the award at Wes Point.

We learned in July that the recipient would be none other than Tom Hanks who has played a solider in several movies like Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers.

READ MORE: Duty, Honor, Country No More West Point Changes Mission Statement

Hanks is also a member of the Hidden Heroes Campaign where they use his voice to bring attention to the nations military and veteran caregiving crisis.

However, recently we've learned there has since been a change in the Thayer Award Ceremony.

West Point Removes Tom Hanks From Thayer Award Ceremony

The Washington Post is reporting that the West Point Alumni Group that the Thayer Award ceremony has been canceled.

In an email to the Washington Post, retired U.S. Army colonel and president of the alumni group, Mark Bieger explained:

"This decision allows the Academy to continue its focus on its core mission of preparing cadets to lead, fight, and win as officers in the world’s most lethal force, the United States Army."

No further details or comments from West Point or Tom Hanks have been released.

President Trump Reacts To West Point Award Drama

According to NBC News, President Trump took to Truth Social to share his thoughts on the 2025 Sylvanus Thayer Award update.

President Trump wrote "Our great West Point (getting greater all the time!) has smartly cancelled the Award Ceremony for actor Tom Hanks." Trump added:

Important move! We don’t need destructive, WOKE recipients getting our cherished American Awards!!!