In a dramatic announcement on Thursday, President Trump revealed he has instructed his administration to begin declassifying government documents related to aliens, extraterrestrial life, and unidentified flying objects (UFOs). This directive came just hours after he publicly criticized former President Barack Obama for commenting on the existence of aliens.
Known for his flair for the theatrical, Trump’s move appears to be another attempt to generate public excitement surrounding the release of secret government files. This follows ongoing scrutiny over the delayed release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and his own connections to the late financier – a process that has stretched for nearly a year, with no specific timeline yet provided for the alien documents.
“Based on the tremendous interest shown,” Trump declared on social media, he has ordered officials to “begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.”
For many decades, numerous sightings of advanced spy aircraft, drones, low-orbit satellites, and even weather balloons have fueled countless theories about UFOs, particularly those centered around the mysterious military flight testing facility known as Area 51. While many reports of unexplained aerial phenomena remain unsolved, the Pentagon has consistently stated that there is no evidence of a government cover-up regarding alien technology, nor any indication that UFO sightings represent visits from extraterrestrial beings to Earth.
However, these official assurances have done little to quell the enthusiasm of UFO believers, who continue to share theories and often grainy videos of strange skyward events across platforms like Reddit and other social media sites.
The catalyst for Trump’s latest declaration was a recent podcast interview.
Brian Tyler Cohen, a popular YouTuber and podcast host, asked former President Obama in an interview released last Saturday about the reality of aliens. Obama responded, “they’re real, but I haven’t seen them and they’re not being kept in Area 51.” He humorously added, “unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president.” Cohen did not press him further on the topic.
Obama’s comments rapidly circulated online, prompting widespread speculation about their true meaning. He later clarified on social media that he meant extraterrestrial life likely exists in the vast universe, but to his knowledge, they had not made contact with Earth. He firmly stated, “I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!”
When questioned aboard Air Force One on Thursday about Obama’s speculative remarks, Trump alleged that Obama had “gave classified information, he’s not supposed to be doing that.” When a reporter sought further clarity on whether aliens were real, Trump reiterated his claim that Obama’s comments revealed classified information, while sidestepping the question of alien existence itself.
“He made a big mistake,” Trump remarked, with what appeared to be a smile. “He took it out of classified information.” Trump concluded by stating he had no personal opinion on the matter, but would “get Mr. Obama out of trouble by declassifying” the relevant documents.