Tom Hanks and Barack Obama have formed a strong friendship over the years.
Hanks is one of the many uber-liberals in Hollywood, while also spending a lot of personal time with the Obamas, including taking vacations together.
The actor was scheduled to receive an award at West Point, but the ceremony was canceled amid the rebranding of the Department of War.
The friendship between Obama and Hanks is well-documented, despite being downplayed by the media.
When Obama was still in office, during his final days, he awarded Hanks the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 22, 2016.
After leaving office, Hanks and Obama have regularly been seen in public together.
This would include a vacation in Greece, as well as being spotted on Steven Spielberg’s yacht.
Tom Hanks’ opinion of Trump is not exactly a secret, but what created the most outrage among the right was how Hanks portrayed Trump supporters during an SNL sketch.
Hanks was featured during a “Black Jeopardy” sketch, wearing a MAGA hat, dressed like a “redneck,” speaking with a southern drawl.
He turned himself into a living MAGA meme, and it did not sit well with many conservatives.
For instance, Meghan McCain blasted Hanks after the segment aired, replying to a post of the sketch, “Tom Hanks always wants to pretend he’s the likable everyman but he’s as hate mongering of regular Americans as any host on msnbc.”
I have to admit, I was a bit stunned to see an award being given to Hanks during this administration, regardless of the reason. Hanks has been a major advocate for our veterans, which is why he was scheduled to receive the award at West Point.
However, that ceremony was canceled, with Retired Army Col. Mark Bieger writing to alumni, “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.”
Hanks was supposed to receive the Sylvanus Thayer Award, which is the equivalent of receiving an honorary degree from West Point.
I am sure this will be described as being petty by the media, and I can appreciate that, but I would also say the administration was probably wary of Hanks making an anti-Trump speech before the cadets, undermining their commander-in-chief. I get both sides, but we all know how the one-sided narrative the media will portray.
