‘We are expecting royalties’: Star Trek’s George Takei mocks Space Force as ripping off show’s logo

Star Trek actor George Takei has mocked Donald Trump’s the new logo for Space Force, after Twitter users pointed out that it resembles the show’s iconic Starfleet command emblem. 

The actor also blasted President Donald Trump by comparing Star Trek’s ‘utopian vision’ to the administration’s ‘cynical’ political purposes. 

Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu in the original Star Trek series, published an op-ed in The Washington Post where the 82-year-old claimed the Trump administration heralded ‘race resentment’ and called the president a ‘mendacious thug.’

This comes after Trump unveiled the new logo for the Space Force, America’s newest branch of the military on Friday. 

After it was unveiled, Takei quickly tweeted: ‘Ahem. We are expecting some royalties from this..’ 

Pictured: President Donald Trump

Star Trek actor George Takei (left) hit back at President Donald Trump (right) on Twiter and in an op-ed after the new U.S. Space Force logo was revealed 

Takei, a frequent critic of Trump, tweeted: 'Ahem. We are expecting some royalties from this..'

Takei, a frequent critic of Trump, tweeted: ‘Ahem. We are expecting some royalties from this..’

Social media users pointed out that the Space Force logo (left) looks a lot like the insignia from the Starfleet Command (right) as seen on Star Trek

Social media users pointed out that the Space Force logo (left) looks a lot like the insignia from the Starfleet Command (right) as seen on Star Trek

In the Post opinion piece, Takei draws parallels between the Trump administration and an episode called ‘Mirror, Mirror,’ where the USS Enterprise bridge crew find themselves in a parallel universe where where ‘cruelty’ has replaced ‘diplomacy.’   

‘The writers were issuing a warning: A free and democratic society can flip in the blink of an ion storm, and all that we take for granted about the rule of law, the chain of command and the civilized functions of government can be gone in an instant,’ Takei wrote.

He points out irony of the ‘comical appropriation’, saying that Star Trek’s universe promoted racial, economical and gender equality. 

President Trump on Friday unveiled the new logo for the Space Force

President Trump on Friday unveiled the new logo for the Space Force

The Trump administration, in his eyes, has encouraged the exact opposite.  

He wrote: ‘Contrast that for a moment with the current administration’s values and practices: racial resentments and fear stoked for cynical political purposes, the wealthy made even more obscenely so through grift and political influence, coarse and bullying behavior masquerading as diplomacy, to name but a few.’

‘Even the notion of a “Space Force” seems patently absurd coming from an administration where science is mocked and disregarded.’

Takei says the last three years have felt like parallel universe where ‘instead of a president we have a mendacious thug’ and the U.S. Senate is naive instead of deliberate. 

George Takei (far right), who played Hikaru Sulu in the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, reacted on Twitter to the new logo

George Takei (far right), who played Hikaru Sulu in the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, reacted on Twitter to the new logo

He also takes a shot at Melania Trump by suggesting she was apart of the design committee.

The reference to Melania Trump was a speech given by the first lady during the Republican National Convention in the summer of 2016. 

Observers later noted that the speech given by Melania Trump bore many similarities to remarks delivered by Michelle Obama during her address before the Democratic National Committee in Denver in 2008. 

He ended his op-ed by noting that the episode’s parting message was that normalcy can be restored and suggests Trump use the Galactic Empire sigil from Star Wars. 

One day before, Takei went on a Twitter spree where he shared a series of tweets mocking the logo resemblance.    

Takei, who is a frequent critic of Trump, wrote in a subsequent tweet: ‘I feel like Melania must have had a hand in copyi – I mean, designing this.’

 

Takei wrote in a subsequent tweet: 'I feel like Melania must have had a hand in copyi - I mean, designing this.'

Takei wrote in a subsequent tweet: ‘I feel like Melania must have had a hand in copyi – I mean, designing this.’

Takaei once again suggested Trump use the Galactic Empire’s logo and shared the hashtag ‘ImperialWhiteHouse.’

‘May I suggest a more politically aligned logo for the Trump Administration to emulate for the new #SpaceForce?’ 

He also shared a photo of several U.S. Space Force logos that appear to be earlier versions that people could vote on. 

William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk, also weighed in on the new logo by wondering if Star Trek or CBS would be filing a lawsuit. 

Takei: 'May I suggest a more politically aligned logo for the Trump Administration to emulate for the new #SpaceForce?

Takei: ‘May I suggest a more politically aligned logo for the Trump Administration to emulate for the new #SpaceForce?

Takei shared a picture of several U.S. Space Force logos that appear to be earlier versions

Takei shared a picture of several U.S. Space Force logos that appear to be earlier versions

Shatner: 'Why aren't you asking Star Trek or CBS if they are going to file suit for copy infringement'

Shatner: ‘Why aren’t you asking Star Trek or CBS if they are going to file suit for copy infringement’

Shatner wrote: ‘Why aren’t you asking Star Trek or CBS if they are going to file suit for copy infringement.   

On Twitter, Trump was accused of plagiarism and intellectual property theft and made fun of by users. 

‘Starfleet called. They want their insignia back,’ tweeted one Twitter user.

Another Twitter user quipped: ‘The only difference here is that the Space Force will be more like Spaceballs instead of Starfleet.’

Star Trek was a television series that aired in the mid-1960s. It then evolved into a franchise that included films, animated series, theme parks, and exhibits. One of the earlier stars of the TV series, William Shatner, is seen above as Captain James T. Kirk in this 1968 file photo

Star Trek was a television series that aired in the mid-1960s. It then evolved into a franchise that included films, animated series, theme parks, and exhibits. One of the earlier stars of the TV series, William Shatner, is seen above as Captain James T. Kirk in this 1968 file photo

The reference to Melania Trump (left) was a speech given by the first lady during the Republican National Convention in the summer of 2016. Observers later noted that the speech given by Melania Trump bore many similarities to remarks delivered by Michelle Obama (right) during her address before the Democratic National Committee in Denver in 2008

The reference to Melania Trump (left) was a speech given by the first lady during the Republican National Convention in the summer of 2016. Observers later noted that the speech given by Melania Trump bore many similarities to remarks delivered by Michelle Obama (right) during her address before the Democratic National Committee in Denver in 2008

One Twitter user responded to Takei by posting a meme showing Jean-Luc Picard, the captain of the starship USS Enterprise, putting his hand against his forehead

One Twitter user responded to Takei by posting a meme showing Jean-Luc Picard, the captain of the starship USS Enterprise, putting his hand against his forehead 

Another Twitter user wrote: 'Can the first mission of Space Force be launching Trump and his entire administration into the sun? Asking for a friend.'

Another Twitter user wrote: ‘Can the first mission of Space Force be launching Trump and his entire administration into the sun? Asking for a friend.’

Spaceballs is a reference to the 1987 Mel Brooks comedy which parodies Star Wars and other sci-fi movies and series like Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, and others. 

Another Twitter user wrote: ‘The estate of Gene Rodenberry should sue you for every penny you have…’

Rodenberry was the writer and creator behind the Star Trek television series.  

Others on social media noted that the logo also bore a resemblance to other insignia used by the Air Force

Others on social media noted that the logo also bore a resemblance to other insignia used by the Air Force

The Russian space agency also used a similar looking logo, according to one social media user

The Russian space agency also used a similar looking logo, according to one social media user

Announcements made by Trump and the administration about the Space Force often draw ridicule from critics.

On Saturday, the Space Force has debuted its new utility uniform and service nametape.

‘The first #SpaceForce utility uniform nametapes have touched down in the Pentagon,’ tweeted @SpaceForceDoD. 

Military.com reported that four-star rank on the uniform, as well as the Command Space Operations badge over the new navy blue-embroidered service nametape indicated that the showcased uniform belonged to Gen. John Raymond, the new – and first – commander of the US Space Force.  

The uniform in the photo also showed off a United States Space Command patch and a full-color American flag. 

Despite its celestial nature of the command, Space Force appears to be using a traditional earth-tone camo pattern for its daily-use, utility uniform.  

The lack of a cosmic-themed uniform raised eyebrows on social media.  

‘How many trees are you expecting to find in space?’ author James Felton tweeted, prompting a Twitter user to respond with a Star Wars reference: ‘Come on, Jim. You know how difficult it is to defeat Ewoks in battle.’

The US Space Force tweeted out this image of a uniform bearing its new official nametape

The US Space Force tweeted out this image of a uniform bearing its new official nametape 

Space Force's tweet about the earth-toned utility uniform and its nametape was mocked

Space Force’s tweet about the earth-toned utility uniform and its nametape was mocked

Twitter users were quick to question why the space-themed military branch was using forest-colored camo, forcing Space Force to tweeted a few explanations

Twitter users were quick to question why the space-themed military branch was using forest-colored camo, forcing Space Force to tweeted a few explanations

One Twitter user posted photos of a forest-hued camo and a black swatch, noting: ‘I know this is hard to understand, but on the left there is a picture of camouflage and on the right there is a picture of space. Study these carefully until you can see the difference.’

‘Have you been to a part of space where this camouflage would blend in?’ tweeted Walter Shaub, the former director of the US Office of Government Ethics.    

‘Camo in space? WTF? More wasted tax dollars. Great job!’ wrote a Twitter user, which prompted a response from the Space Force. 

‘USSF is utilizing current Army/Air Force uniforms, saving costs of designing/producing a new one. Members will look like their joint counterparts they’ll be working with, on the ground,’ Space Force tweeted. 

‘Buried lede: we had a ton of camo,’ snarked actor Michael McKean.    

When one Twitter user asked, ‘Sorry for the question but why do we need camo in space?’

Space Force responded by tweeting: ‘We don’t. Space Operators are on the ground, on Earth working with joint partners like the @usairforce and @USArmy. Hence utilizing their uniform.’  

The fact that Space Force is repurposing its uniform from the Air Force and Army shouldn’t come as a surprise, though. 

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