Barack Obama has boldly gone where no president has gone before. He has given the Vulcan salute in the Oval Office.
Actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Uhura on the popular television series “Star Trek,” tweeted a photo of herself alongside Obama, flashing the hand signal made famous by the character Mr. Spock. The photo was taken in late February, when Nichols visited the White House and later headed to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Both Obama and Nichols smile widely in the photo, Obama reaching his arm around the actress’ shoulder as they posed in front of his desk. Nichols wore a necklace bearing the show’s Starfleet insignia, and captioned the image, “Live Long & Prosper,” the words traditionally said after the Vulcan salute.
At the time of her visit, Nichols tweeted her excitement about meeting the president. In the past, Obama has revealed that he had a crush on Nichols as a kid, as she was one of the first black women to have a major role on a television series.
“I was honored to get a chance to meet with Pres Barack Obama today in the White House. He was as charming and handsome as I had expected,” Nichols wrote. “Months ago Pres Obama was quoted as saying that he’d had a crush on me when he was younger. I asked about that & he proudly confirmed it! President Obama also confirmed for me that he was definitely a Trekker! How wonderful is that?!”
This is not the first time Obama has expressed his enthusiasm for “Star Trek.”
In 2010, Leonard Nimoy — who played Spock — told reporters, “I do believe that President Obama means it when he says that he is 100 percent interested in space. I know for sure he’s a ‘Star Trek’ fan.”
He shared that when he met the president, he was also greeted by the iconic salute.