William Shatner Responds to Stephen Miller's Star Trek Comments
William Shatner issued a response to Stephen Miller’s suggestion that Shatner's involvement was needed to improve the Star Trek franchise.
Origin of the Discussion
Last week, Stephen Miller, who serves as White House deputy chief of staff for policy, shared a post from the X account "End Wokeness." The post included a clip from the new series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, featuring cast members Tricia Black, Gina Yashere, and Holly Hunter. The "End Wokeness" post commented, “Star Trek 2026… Beyond parody…,” indicating dissatisfaction with the performers’ appearances.
Miller then added his own comment, stating, “Tragic. But it’s not too late for @paramountplus to save the franchise. Step 1: Reconcile with @WilliamShatner and give him total creative control.”
Shatner's Reply
On Monday, Shatner responded humorously to Miller's suggestion. The 94-year-old actor stated, “I am so on the same page with you @StephenM! The fact that they have not cure Hyperopia by the 32rd Century is an abysmal oversight on the writers!”
Shatner continued his response, adding: “Also @paramountplus needs to up the budget because I’m sure that a well oiled organization like Starfleet in the distant future could afford more than one pair of glasses for at least this hyperopic bridge crew. Do they pass the glasses around while piloting the ship‽ Shame on the line producers! That is what you meant, right‽ I am ready to assume command of the series! Call me!”
Subsequent Interactions and Broader Context
Miller responded to Shatner's reply by reiterating his call for the actor to take a leadership role in the franchise. While Miller did not explicitly state his specific issue with the show's footage, other social media users provided comments suggesting the casting decisions were perceived to be influenced by diversity initiatives.
Earlier in the month, Elon Musk also shared the same clip, adding the comment, “Turns out they banned Ozempic and LASIK in the future lol.” Tricia Black, one of the featured cast members, responded to Musk's comment on Instagram, noting the repetition of the joke and finding it notable that “the richest man in [the world] felt the need to steal the joke.”
Shatner, who originated the role of Captain Kirk in the 1960s Star Trek series, last played the character in the 1994 film Star Trek: Generations. While Shatner generally avoids political commentary, he has previously made statements on cultural topics, including criticizing the use of the term “cisgender.”
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, created by Gaia Violo, recently premiered on Paramount+ and has been renewed for a second season. Critic Angie Han, in her review for The Hollywood Reporter, described the project as “admirable in its ambitions but shaky in its execution,” adding that it was “too full of charm and promise to dismiss outright.”