United States President Donald Trump has directed federal agencies to begin identifying and releasing government records related to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), UFO sightings, and claims of extraterrestrial life.
Trump made the announcement via a post on Truth Social, describing the files as “complex” but of “extremely interesting and important” public concern. He said he would instruct the Secretary of War and other relevant departments to begin declassifying and reviewing information connected to aliens, UAPs, and related phenomena.
Criticism of Obama
The announcement came shortly after Trump criticised former President Barack Obama for publicly discussing extraterrestrial life during a podcast with host Brian Tyler Cohen.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said Obama “made a big mistake” by commenting on the topic publicly. During the podcast, Obama had suggested that while life elsewhere in the universe is statistically plausible, he saw no evidence of extraterrestrial contact during his presidency. He also dismissed conspiracy theories regarding secret facilities like Area 51, stating no alien program was hidden from him.
Trump, when asked about his own views on extraterrestrials, admitted he was unsure and does not frequently engage in the topic.
Growing Public Interest
Public fascination with UAPs has surged in recent years. In 2024, the United States Department of Defense released an assessment indicating no verified evidence of alien encounters, concluding most sightings were misidentified or ordinary objects.
Earlier, in 2023, the United States House of Representatives held a public hearing on unidentified anomalous phenomena, highlighting bipartisan curiosity but producing no conclusive proof of extraterrestrial activity.
Obama later reiterated on Instagram that while life elsewhere is statistically plausible, no evidence of alien visitation was observed during his presidency, and his comments were not based on classified intelligence.
Trump’s directive signals a renewed effort to release government files and satisfy public curiosity about UAPs and extraterrestrial claims.
