Barack Obama recently threw up the Vulcan salute at the White House while posing with original Star Trek cast member Nichelle Nichols, who put the photo up on Twitpic.

"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!" she said on Twitter.

Obama revealed himself as a serious Trek fan back in 2008, when he was overheard teasing his wife, Michelle, for wearing a belt that looked like it was studded with "dilithium crystals."

The President has also flashed the Vulcan salute at Spock himself, Leonard Nimoy.

[thr]