During President Barack Obama's surprise sequester press conference, CNN reporter Jessica Yellin asked him why he couldn't do anything to stop the automatic spending cuts that start to take effect today.

Obama responded by answering with what was supposed to be a Star Wars reference — but he ended up confusing Star Wars and Star Trek.

"I can’t do some kind of Jedi Mind Meld on congressional Republicans," Obama said.

A "mind meld" is actually a Star Trek reference — it's a technique that includes sharing thoughts, experiences, memories, and knowledge with another individual.

What Obama was looking for, of course, was a Jedi "mind trick."

His mistake set Twitter ablaze:

So now Obama is pitting Star Wars geeks vs. Star Trek geeks with his "Jedi mind meld" comment? When will he stop dividing this country? — Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) March 1, 2013

YESSS. It made an AP alert! WASHINGTON (AP) - Obama says he can't do 'Jedi mind meld' and persuade Republican leaders to do what's right. — Ethan Klapper (@ethanklapper) March 1, 2013

Obama lost the Star Wars vote with that "Jedi Mind meld" gaffe. — The Fix (@TheFix) March 1, 2013

Obama just said "Jedi Mindmeld."That sound you heard was Picard face-palming. — Damon Lindelof (@DamonLindelof) March 1, 2013

"Jedi mind meld"? Putting JJ Abrams on both Star Trek and Star Wars is already a disaster.

— Gabriel Snyder (@gabrielsnyder) March 1, 2013

UPDATE: The White House acted quickly on Obama's accidental viral gaffe, setting up www.whitehouse.gov/jedimindmeld, which redirects visitors to the President's plan to fix sequestration.