Star Trek has once again found itself at the center of online political debate following the debut of its latest series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. While the show is officially Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, it has also become the target of review bombing from critics accusing it of being “too woke.”
One of the most prominent voices to weigh in is Stephen Miller, the U.S. Deputy White House Chief of Staff, who took to social media to express his displeasure with the series. Sharing a brief clip from the premiere episode, Miller described the current state of the Star Trek franchise as “tragic” and suggested that Paramount+ should bring back William Shatner to “fix” it.
The clip in question? A short scene featuring three female characters, including Oscar-winning actress Holly Hunter as Chancellor Nahla Ake, talking together on the bridge of a starship.
Originally posted by the account End Wokeness, which is dedicated to criticizing progressive politics, diversity initiatives, and modern media trends, the clip quickly spread online. Conservative commentators were quick to label Starfleet Academy “woke,” citing its diverse cast and perceived social commentary as evidence.
Shatner, who famously played Captain James. T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series, responded, but not in the way Miller may have expected. Rather than engaging directly with Miller's political criticism, Shatner opted for humor, focusing instead on a minor background detail from the clip.
"The fact that they have not cure Hyperopia by the 32rd Century is an abysmal oversight on the writers," Shatner joked. "Also Paramount Plus 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."
"That is what you meant, right‽" Shatner added sarcastically.
As a Canadian, Shatner has long steered clear of American partisan politics, so it's not surprising that he chose irony and humor over confrontation, effectively sidestepping the idea that he should "save" the franchise.
This thrilling new chapter follows a fresh class of cadets as they train under the watchful, demanding eyes of Starfleet’s finest. Together, they’ll face the highs and lows of academy life: forging unbreakable friendships, clashing in explosive rivalries, experiencing first loves, and stepping into their destiny as the next generation of Starfleet officers. When a mysterious new enemy threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself, these cadets must rise to the challenge or risk losing everything they’ve just begun to fight for.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premiered on Paramount+ on January 15, 2026 with its first two episodes. The remaining eight episodes will be released weekly until March 12th.