It’s only been a week, but Donald Trump’s Space Force is once again the subject of ridicule – this time after the new logo was revealed and people pointed out it looked rather familiar.
Just seven days ago the force was mocked after revealing its new uniform – a practical camouflage print, which many pointed out probably wouldn’t do much good in the barren landscape outer space.
And now the Space Force logo has come under
fire for its resemblance to one made famous in the hit TV show Star Trek.
Trump unveiled the Space Force logo on Friday, writing on
Twitter that he had consulted with military leaders and designers before presenting the blue-and-white symbol.After consultation with our Great Military Leaders, designers, and others, I am pleased to present the new logo for the
United States Space Force, the Sixth Branch of our Magnificent Military! pic.twitter.com/TC8pT4yHFT— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2020‘Cool logo!’ you might think. It’s got it all. Planets, stars,
shooting stars, roman numerals, a big arrow probably designed to represent a futuristic jet.
Just one issue – at first glance it’s almost indistinguishable from the logo for the fictional Star Trek Starfleet Command. Trump just announced the new logo for the Space Force. The other is Star Trek Starfleet Command. pic.twitter.com/S7NeYdjR4C— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) January 24, 2020There are of course some differences, including the strike of red in the Star Trek design, the inclusion of the date, and the wording of the badge to reflect the actual Space Force, but the basic designs appear extremely similar.
George Takei, who played Mr. Sulu in the original “Star Trek” TV series and films, tweeted in response, “Ahem. We are expecting some royalties from this.”
Predictably, the internet did not let the striking similarity pass unchallenged: THIS IS THE STARFLEET LOGO! THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TOOK A THING FROM A TV SHOW AND MADE IT THE OFFICIAL EMBLEM OF A BRANCH OF THE MILITARY. https://t.co/H2W2vYrshh— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) January 24, 2020This is beyond embarrassing. What's next, Buzz Lightyear as their mascot?? https://t.co/Zt4Sd0kzEi— Kristy Wade (@kristylove777) January 24, 2020But in a bid to defend the new logo, some pointed out that the badge was likely an evolution of a similar Air Force design that has been in circulation and worn for a number of years. For those excitedly tweeting that Trump stole the Star Trek logo!!!!, the patch on the left was the existing Air Force Command logo. The same one I wore as a Lieutenant in 2005. pic.twitter.com/mYb60YioBP— John Noonan (@noonanjo) January 24, 2020Space Force is the first new military service since the Air Force was created in 1947.
It is meant mainly to improve protection of US satellites and other space assets, rather than to put soldiers into orbit to conduct combat in outer space.
The idea became a regular applause line for Trump at his political rallies. He originally wanted a Space Force that was “separate but equal” to the Army, Navy and Air Force, but instead congress made it part of the Department of the Air Force.
“After consultation with our Great Military Leaders, designers, and others, I am pleased to present the new logo for the United States Space Force, the Sixth Branch of our Magnificent Military!” the Trump wrote. Related... 'Why Do We Need Camo In Space?' US Space Force Mocked For New Woodland Camouflage Uniform Harry Dunn Death: Anne Sacoolas Extradition Request Denied By US Why The UK’s 5G Decision On Huawei Is A Key Test Of Johnsonism