In a surprising twist that sounds like something out of a sci-fi script, Star Trek legend William Shatner is rallying behind Pluto — and he wants none other than former President Donald Trump to help bring the icy world back into the planetary spotlight.

Yes, really.

Captain Kirk Goes Cosmic — and Political

William Shatner, best known for commanding the USS Enterprise as Captain Kirk, has taken an unexpected political turn.

At 94 years old, he’s now weighing in on the great Pluto debate — and blasting the scientific community while he’s at it.

The actor hopped on X (formerly Twitter) and called the International Astronomical Union (IAU) a bunch of “idiots” for booting Pluto from the official planet club back in 2006.

For context, Pluto had been considered a planet since its discovery in 1930, before the IAU demoted it to “dwarf planet” status — a move that still rubs a lot of people the wrong way.

Shatner’s frustrations were sparked by news of astronomers possibly spotting a massive mystery object way out in the solar system — something some scientists are calling a potential “Planet Nine.”

But even that planet hasn’t been confirmed to exist yet.

Shatner Says It’s Time for Trump to Act

So what does Trump have to do with all of this?

Shatner argued that if Trump can rename a Gulf, then surely he can override scientists and make Pluto a planet again.

“The astronomer who discovered Pluto was American,” Shatner wrote.

“Seems like America has jurisdiction on things outside its borders.”

In other words, he’s saying — half seriously, half not — that Trump could sign an executive order and “Make Pluto Great Again.”

From Climate Change to Cosmic Politics

Here’s what makes this all the more unexpected: Shatner has long supported progressive issues like climate action and Canada’s universal healthcare system.

So this sudden lean into MAGA territory and calls for Trump to intervene in science? It caught a lot of people off guard.

He’s also been busy sparring with fans online, calling the scientists who downgraded Pluto “corrupt nerds on a power trip,” and accusing them of waging a “tyranny of the cosmos.”

Clearly, this is personal for Shatner.

Elon Musk Agrees: Pluto Deserves a Comeback

Shatner isn’t alone in his Pluto passion.

Back in 2021, Elon Musk — another space lover and disruptor of norms — tweeted: “Pluto is a planet.

Fight me.”

So far, Musk hasn’t responded to Shatner’s latest plea, but the actor did call him out directly, asking him to convince Trump to restore Pluto’s status with the stroke of a pen.

Tension Builds Ahead of Shatner vs. Tyson Showdown

To make things even more entertaining, Shatner and famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson — the guy who helped get Pluto demoted — are scheduled to face off in person this June in Seattle during a one-night show about Pluto’s future.

Tyson’s take? Pluto’s too different from the other planets and belongs in its own category of small, icy celestial bodies.

He’s even written a book about it: The Pluto Files.

But now Tyson’s facing backlash of his own.

The scientist recently posted a selfie in a MAGA hat and has been catching heat from liberals for sharing photos of a shooting range visit with his wife.

Talk about unexpected plot twists.

NASA’s Former Boss Is Team Pluto, Too

Shatner has another powerful Pluto ally: Jim Bridenstine, the former NASA Administrator under Trump.

In 2019, Bridenstine declared that Pluto is still a planet in his book, citing its subsurface ocean, organic materials, and moons as proof.

“I’m sticking by that,” he said at the time.

“It’s the way I learned it.”

He also took a swipe at the IAU, calling their definition of a planet “sloppy.”

So… Will Trump Get Involved?

That’s anyone’s guess.

But in the meantime, Shatner is definitely keeping the conversation lively, if not a bit off the rails.

Whether he’s being totally serious or just stirring the pot, he’s certainly brought new attention to the old debate — and maybe even opened the door for Pluto’s big comeback.