Acclaimed actor Tom Hanks delivered a humorous, yet direct, comment regarding the live viewership of US news network MS NOW during an interview at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The Oscar-winner, known for films such as 'Forrest Gump' and 'Toy Story', was approached by MS NOW correspondent Jacob Soboroff on Thursday, leading to a memorable on-air exchange.
As Soboroff greeted Hanks, the actor promptly enquired, "What can I do for the 800 people watching MS NOW?" Soboroff, introducing himself and clarifying that the broadcast was live, responded with a good-natured "Oh, come on." Hanks then playfully retorted, "Alright, add a zero to it if you need to," prompting Soboroff to suggest that millions would now be tuning in with Hanks on air.
The brief but impactful interaction took place amidst the star-studded dedication ceremony for the new presidential museum, which officially opened five years after its groundbreaking in 2021. The invite-only event attracted a host of notable figures, including former US Presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, alongside former First Ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton. The ceremony also featured performances from acclaimed artists such as Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, and Jennifer Hudson.
Despite Hanks's tongue-in-cheek remarks, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) reported an average of 691,000 total day viewers and 1.1 million primetime viewers in the first quarter of 2026. Back in the studio, anchor Katy Tur appeared amused by Hanks's comments, thanking him and noting his past support for the press. This support includes a tradition of gifting espresso machines to the White House Press Corps, a gesture he has extended to both Democratic and Republican administrations since 2004, explaining that "those poor b****es need coffee."
Hanks further elaborated on his donations during an appearance on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' in 2017, suggesting that while the coffee was appreciated, the press corps were likely being kept awake by the actions of the then-President. His latest interaction with MS NOW continues his pattern of engaging with media in a distinctive and often light-hearted manner, drawing significant attention to the network's broadcast.