LOS ANGELES: Star Trek actor William Shatner has accused US tax authorities of wasting tens of thousands of dollars on a spoof video based on the cult television space show. Shatner — who played the Starship Enterprise’s commander Captain James T Kirk in the series — took to Twitter to lambast the video, which the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has now apologized for. “So I watched that IRS video.
I am appalled at the utter waste of US tax dollars,” Shatner wrote to his 1.4 million followers on the microblogging service. In the six-minute video, actors playing the key characters from “Star Trek,” including Captain Kirk and Spock, exchange tax-based jokes. “Back in Russia, I dreamed someday I’d be rich and famous,” says one crew member in the parody, to which another replies: “Me too .. That’s why I became a public servant.”
The IRS said the video was made in 2010, along with another one based on sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” at a combined cost of $60,000, to be used at an IRS training and leadership conference. The IRS apologized for the video, which it said eventually played at 400 events, according to the Los Angeles Times newspaper.
“The space parody video from 2010 is not reflective of overall IRS video efforts, which provide critical information to taxpayers and cost-effective employee training critical to running the nation’s tax system. “In addition, the IRS has instituted tough new standards for videos to prevent situations similar to the 2010 video,” said an IRS statement.
Star Trek’s Shatner blasts US tax video
Star Trek’s Shatner blasts US tax video
First lady Melania Trump to preview new film at private White House screening
- Film offers rare behind-the-scenes access to Melania Trump
- First lady to ring NYSE opening bell to promote film
WASHINGTON: First lady Melania Trump will host a private White House screening on Saturday of a new film documenting her life in the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, an adviser said.
The movie, “Melania,” is set for a global release on January 30. Saturday’s showing will be the first time the president, her family and close friends see the film in full, said Marc Beckman, the first lady’s outside adviser and agent.
The film offers rare behind-the-scenes access to the first lady, who has kept a low public profile during her husband’s second term. The trailer opens on Inauguration Day in January 2025, showing her donning a navy wide-brimmed hat for the ceremony at the US Capitol. It also depicts her role as an adviser to the president, including a moment in which she encourages him to emphasize “peacemaker and unifier” in his inaugural address.
Beckman, who produced the film, oversaw the $40 million movie deal with Amazon’s MGM Studios, plus a follow-up documentary series set for release later this year focusing on some of Melania Trump’s priorities, including children in foster care.
“This is not a political film at all,” Beckman said in an interview, adding that the first lady spearheaded the film’s creative direction.
The movie highlights her fashion choices, diplomatic engagements and the operations surrounding her Secret Service protection. Beckman said viewers also will see moments that capture the president’s sense of humor.
Ahead of the public theatrical release of the film next week, the president and first lady will attend a premiere on Thursday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center by the Trump-appointed board of directors.
The first lady is also scheduled to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday to promote the film, Beckman added.
