The internet is ablaze, but this time it’s not over casting choices or plot twists. This time, the outrage centers on something so trivial it’s almost comical: eyeglasses. Yes, in the 32nd century, a character in Starfleet Academy dares to sport spectacles, and some corners of the internet have lost their minds, and Stephen Miller led the charge.
Starfleet Academy, like any addition to the Star Trek universe—especially those that were initially disliked but later embraced—faces its share of debate. Some of this stems from its connection to Star Trek: Discovery, a series familiar with controversy. Some of it is intentional, with the show embracing its young adult perspective and playfully challenging franchise norms. But sometimes, the outrage machine latches onto the most unexpected things, turning them into cultural battlegrounds.
This is what happened after Starfleet Academy‘s first episodes aired. Amidst the discussions about its merits, one complaint stood out, amplified by none other than former White House advisor Stephen Miller. The supposed offense? Someone wearing glasses.
The fuss began when Miller quote-tweeted a clip from the series, posted by an account called “End Wokeness.” The scene featured Holly Hunter’s Captain Nahla Ake wearing glasses while speaking with her first officer, Lura Thok (Gina Yashere), and Lieutenant Rourke (Tricia Black).
Miller’s initial comment was vague, but he described the scene as “tragic,” urging that Paramount, now owned by David Ellison, should “save” the franchise by handing creative control to William Shatner.
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!Also @paramountplus needs to up the budget because I’m sure that a well oiled organization like Starfleet in the distant… https://t.co/96MtYUGGWf
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 19, 2026
Shatner’s account (whose operator is often debated) responded, suggesting Miller’s issue was Hunter’s eyewear. “The fact that they have not cure Hyperopia by the 32rd Century is an abysmal oversight on the writers,” the post read. He added, that Paramount needed to increase its budget because Starfleet should be able to afford more than one pair of glasses for the bridge crew.
Miller, missing the sarcasm, reposted it and responded with another tweet criticizing Kirk’s death in Generations as the downfall of Star Trek. But he didn’t dispute that the “wokeness” was about the glasses.
I was shocked.
Why are people so mad about glasses in space?
For anyone familiar with Star Trek, Shatner’s sarcasm is obvious. Kirk is just one of many characters who have worn glasses. While treatments for vision exist in Star Trek‘s future, glasses still appeared in the 23rd century—an Enterprise technician wears them in the original pilot episode “The Cage” (and later in “The Menagerie”).
Kirk famously wears reading glasses in The Wrath of Khan, citing an allergy to Retinax V. More recently, Jean-Luc Picard wore reading glasses in Picard‘s third season, and Discovery introduced David Cronenberg’s Kovich, who wore glasses as a fashion statement. Similarly, Captain Ake might be wearing them for style; of course, she also wears them to read.
I saw a friend share this on Facebook this morning.
Is this just another manufactured outrage cycle?
This spectacle of manufactured outrage is a recurring theme, like a broken record playing the same tired tune. We’ve seen it with countless films and shows labeled “woke.” It’s a performance designed to ignite anger and chatter among followers.
It isn’t about awareness or knowledge; it’s about generating hate and attention, before moving on to the next target, like political vultures circling carrion.
If they have future vision correction, why wear glasses at all?
Stephen Miller probably doesn’t truly care about glasses in Star Trek. He seems to have moved on, now apparently nodding towards The Mandalorian‘s “this is the way” slogan in relation to Tennessee Republicans persecuting immigrants. Perhaps he’ll return to complain about Starfleet Academy later.
I have seen a few of these culture war skirmishes before.
Will this artificial backlash ever end?
The show is not the point; it’s merely fuel for another round of artificial conflict. If you ask me, this is just another distraction from the real issues.
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