Tom Hanks created an unexpected viral moment during the ceremonial opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago when a brief exchange with a television reporter quickly became one of the most talked about moments of the event.
The Oscar-winning actor’s playful but pointed remark sparked laughter, criticism and a flood of online reactions, spotlighting a media network’s struggles and Hanks’ trademark wit.
The unexpected exchange unfolded shortly after Tom Hanks arrived at the opening ceremony on Thursday.
MS NOW Senior National and Political Correspondent Jacob Soboroff was live streaming from the event as he approached the actor hoping to secure a quick interview.
“Nice to see you,” Soboroff said as he tried to get Hanks’ attention.
Initially obsessed, Hanks eventually turned on the reporter after some persistence. Instead of answering questions immediately, he opened with a remark that caught everyone off guard.
“What can I do for the 800 people watching MS NOW?” Hanks joked.
The comment appeared to refer to the network’s declining television audience and immediately changed the tone of the interaction.
Soboroff responded with a smile, reminding the actor, “Oh, come on. We’re live on MS NOW.”
Tom Hanks and the reporter trade playful barbs
The exchange did not end there. After Soboroff pushed back, Hanks fired another rant.
“Okay – put a zero on it,” he replied in a subdued manner.
The reporter quickly responded by saying, “I’d say millions now that you’re on our air.”
At the time, Hanks seemed ready to move on from the joke.
“Okay. Okay,” he said before answering questions about the event itself.
The moment only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough to capture the attention of the internet. Clips of the interaction quickly spread across social media platform X, generating hundreds of thousands of views within hours.
For many viewers, the brief exchange became more memorable than the event in which it took place.
Online reactions are divided over the viral moment
Seam clip circulated online, reactions came from all directions.
Some viewers found the actor’s comments funny and praised his sense of humor. Others felt the joke crossed a line and criticized the actor for taking a swipe at the network during a live broadcast.
One social media user wrote: “Asking Tom Hanks for a comment these days is like a box of chocolates … you never know what you’re going to get.”
Not everyone was amused. “Pretty arrogant Tom. Not a good look,” wrote another commenter.
A third critic added, “Hanks was always a whiny, immature and twisted liberal.”
The supporters were just as vocal. “Tom immediately with a banger,” wrote one fan.
Another user commented: “He’s goofy with those jokes,” while another completely praised the interaction, saying: “The whole interview was great.”
The network behind the joke
The joke landed against the backdrop of real challenges facing traditional cable TV.
Like many linear television networks, MS NOW has seen a decline in viewership over the years despite recent efforts to strengthen its position.
According to Daily Mail, the network currently averages about 900,000 viewers, down from an average that topped 1.1 million viewers in 2016.
As changing viewing habits and cord-cutting continue to reshape the industry, the network has undergone major changes. It was rebranded from MSNBC in November as part of a broader corporate restructuring effort following its separation from Comcast.
Today, the channel operates under Versant, a media company that focuses primarily on domestic cable properties. Other networks under its portfolio include CNBC, Golf Channel, E!, Syfy and Oxygen.
Against that backdrop, Hanks’ rant resonated with many viewers already familiar with the changing television landscape.
Tom Hanks Focuses on ‘Toy Story 5’
Away from the viral controversy, Hanks is preparing for another major career milestone.
The actor returns as Woody in “Toy Story 5,” which hits theaters June 19.
talking with PEOPLE in New York last month, Hanks expressed his enthusiasm for returning to one of Pixar’s most beloved franchises.
“Oh my Lord, all I can say is the saga continues,” he said.
The original “Toy Story” debuted in 1995 and became a global phenomenon, launching one of animated film’s most successful franchises. More than three decades later, Hanks is still amazed that the journey continues.
“I’ve seen it. I don’t know how they do it, but it’s a living and proper chapter in the Toy Story canon,” he said. “None of us can believe we’re still part of it.”
The new film will see Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the gang face a modern challenge as technology competes for children’s attention.
Director Andrew Stanton previously explained the central conflict by saying, “In Toy Story 5, the toys’ job becomes exponentially more difficult as our toy team collides with what kids are obsessed with today: electronics.”
