Tom Hanks, the “common man” of the United States, has officially declared that he doesn’t want any more. In a decision that has stunned Hollywood and the country, the Oscar-winning actor announced that he will forgo all his recent Oscar nominations and leave the United States, citing deep disappointment following Donald Trump’s re-election.
“This is not the America I wanted,” Hanks tearfully said in an Instagram video, sitting on what appeared to be a replica of Forrest Gump’s bench. “I’ve played heroes, explorers and even captains, but I can’t captain this sinking ship anymore.”
Hanks was one of the frontrunners in this year’s Oscar race, with nominations for “A Better Tomorrow,” “A Kind Nation” and “The Last Good Man.” However, in an unprecedented decision, the actor personally requested that the Academy withdraw his nominations, calling the awards “meaningless in a country that has lost its way.”
The Academy, surprised by Hanks’ decision, issued a brief statement: “Tom Hanks has always been a pillar of integrity in the entertainment industry. While we regret his decision, we respect his position.”
Hollywood insiders consider Hanks’ departure to be the ultimate wake-up call. Long regarded as Tinseltown’s moral compass, Hanks’ departure underscores the growing unease many feel about the current state of American politics.
“If Tom Hanks doesn’t believe in America anymore, what chance do the rest of us have?” tweeted actress Kerry Washington. “It’s a national tragedy.”
Director Steven Spielberg, a longtime collaborator and close friend, called Hanks’ decision “heartbreaking but understandable.” “Tom is the lifeblood of this industry and, in many ways, of this country,” Spielberg said in a press release. “Their absence will leave a void that cannot be filled.”
Hanks’ announcement has divided fans and caused a cultural scandal. Social networks were filled with hashtags such as #BringBackTom and #AmericaLostHanks.
“I can’t believe Tom Hanks is leaving,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “This is worse than when Toy Story 3 almost made me cry in public.”
Others, however, were not so understanding. “Another member of Hollywood’s elite who is angry that their candidate didn’t win,” one critic wrote. “Don’t let the door knock on you, Tom.”
As expected, Donald Trump wasted no time in addressing Hanks’ departure during a rally in Texas.
“Tom Hanks? It’s overrated,” Trump said to thunderous applause. “He’s furious that people voted for me and not for his Hollywood friends. Maybe he should dedicate himself to pretending.”
Trump also joked, “Hanks’ departure is the best thing that has happened to America since I started The Apprentice. Let him go! Greece can keep it.”
Hanks and his wife, actress Rita Wilson, have confirmed they will move to Greece, a country the couple has often referred to as their “second home.” Hanks, who was granted honorary Greek citizenship in 2020, said the decision to move was an easy one.
“Greece understands democracy. It’s where it all started,” Hanks said in his Instagram video. “I’d rather live in a place that values history and progress than one that’s regressing into chaos.”
Wilson echoed this sentiment, stating, “We will always love America, but sometimes loving means knowing when to let it go.”
Hanks’ decision has fueled rumors of a growing exodus of celebrities. Experts suggest that Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep are also considering leaving the country. “Tom’s departure could be the turning point,” one source said. “If he leaves, who stays?”
The speculation has sparked panic among movie studios, with producers rushing to finalize deals with stars who might be contemplating a similar decision.
For Hanks, the decision to withdraw from the Oscars and leave the United States is deeply symbolic. “I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire change,” Hanks said. “But when the true story of America is so disheartening, I can’t keep pretending on screen that everything is fine.”
He specifically mentioned his roles in Saving Private Ryan and Apollo 13 as examples of the America he once believed in: an America of courage, unity, and resilience. “That America seems like a distant memory,” he said.
While Hanks’ departure is a blow to Hollywood, the actor made it clear that he has no plans to retire. He hinted that his future projects will focus on global issues and human resilience issues.
“I’m going to keep telling stories,” Hanks said. “But from now on they will be stories that transcend borders, because I cannot remain confined to a country that no longer reflects the values I hold dear.”
Hanks’ departure has ignited a national debate about what his departure means for the United States. Many see it as a wake-up call, a sign that even the most optimistic and patriotic among us are losing faith.
“Tom Hanks’ departure is a metaphor for everything that’s wrong with America right now,” said cultural critic Dr. Emily Lang. “If we can’t keep Tom, who can we keep?”
Others, however, see his departure as an opportunity to reflect. “Maybe this is what we need to start asking ourselves the hard questions,” one commenter said.
As Hanks prepares to leave, he offered a farewell message to his fans: “This is not goodbye forever. It’s just goodbye for now. I hope that one day I can return to an America that feels like home again. Until then, take care of each other. We are all we have.”
With that, America’s father said goodbye, leaving a nation wondering how it will be able to fill the void left by one of its most beloved icons. As one fan poignantly put it, “If Tom Hanks can’t save us, maybe we should save ourselves.”
