This man never ceases being a class act. On Thursday, Tom Hanks gave White House reporters an espresso machine, because he understands that caffeine is one essential journalists can't live without. Oh, and he also attached a powerful note to his present that is also worthy of attention. The note reads: "To the White House Press Corps. Keep up the good fight for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. Especially for the Truth part." All of this came to light thanks to the reporters sharing images of the new machine and the note on social media.
Ever since Donald Trump was officially signed into office as the 45th President of the United States, there has been plenty of tension between him and reporters. He's repeatedly bashed the media for "fake news." He wouldn't answer questions from a CNN reporter at his very first press conference. And in February, the White House barred outlets, including the New York Times, Politico, the Los Angeles Times, and CNN, from an off-camera press gaggle held by press secretary Sean Spicer. A White House spokesperson said the claims that specific outlets were excluded were “not factual,” and that the pool — a small group of reporters from different outlets that take turns covering the president — was present.
The media certainly hasn't held back on reporting about Trump and refuses to be silenced by him, which is something Hanks clearly backs. His note is proof that he supports journalists doing their jobs, no matter what. The Oscar-winning actor is here for them and his gift is his way of showing just that.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, this isn't the first time Hanks has provided a lovely gift to White House reporters. Per THR, his first espresso machine for them arrived in 2004 after realizing the coffee available to them was through a vending machine. "I hope this machine will make the 24 hour cycle of news a bit more pleasant," THR said Hanks' note read at the time. "Add water, insert pod, press button and report. All good things. Tom Hanks."
His gift giving of espresso machines didn't stop there, because that's just how amazing Hanks is. In 2010, THR reports that the Sully actor sent another espresso machine after thinking the old one looked run down during a visit to the White House.
As for Trump's presidency, after he won the 2016 election, Hanks reflected on what the future looks like. During his tribute from the Museum of Modern Art's film benefit last November, the Bridge of Spies star said, "We are going to be all right. America has been in worse places than we are at right now." He then added later on, "We are going to be all right because we constantly get to tell the world who we are. We constantly get to define ourselves as Americans. We do have the greatest country in the world."
Leave it to Tom Hanks to do even more good in this world and continue being a national treasure.
