Tom Hanks Checks in On Press, and His Espresso Machine

ABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: Actor Tom Hanks dropped by the White House press corps’ break room to check in on a espresso maker he had gifted to White House reporters nearly six years ago. “This is fine machine,” Hanks said in the kitchen area of the press break room,” We have a Pony Express, a fine American model.” Memorial Day weekend of 2004 Hanks had visited the press room and was shocked that journalists went without a coffee maker within their area of the White House. He had the fancy espresso maker sent over with the note: “I hope this machine will make the 24 hour cycle of news a bit more pleasant. Add water, insert pod, press button and report. All good things. Tom Hanks.” Since then a small newspaper clipping has hung on the wall beside the coffee maker to remind everyone who gifted press with this caffeine laden gift. Today, Mr. Hanks scolded press a bit for letting his gift get a little grimy over the years. “Let me see what I can do for the poor slobs in the Fourth estate here,” Hanks said picking up the dirty coffee filter, “You know you are supposed to clean this after every use!” Director Steven Spielberg stood behind Hanks studying the machine. “We’re just trying to combat sleep deprivation,” Hanks said. Spielberg and Hanks were at the White House this evening to attend the president and first lady’s’ screening of HBO’s new series, “The Pacific,” shown in the White House movie theater/ “It was fun. It was nice to escape to the movies for a little bit,” Hanks said of the private show. -Sunlen Miller