Trump Directs Release of U.S. Government Files on Aliens, UFOs, and Extraterrestrial Life

 Trump Directs Release of U.S. Government Files on Aliens, UFOs, and Extraterrestrial Life

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to declassify and release government documents related to aliens, unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and possible extraterrestrial life, reigniting global interest in long-standing mysteries surrounding unidentified aerial phenomena.

Trump made the announcement on Thursday through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he stated that he would instruct relevant federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, to begin identifying and releasing files connected to extraterrestrial life and unexplained aerial sightings. He described the subject as complex but highly important, noting the strong public curiosity surrounding it.

According to Trump, the directive will involve the Secretary of War and other government departments working together to locate records on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), UFOs, and any related intelligence collected by the U.S. government over the years. He added that all non-classified and releasable information should be made available to the public in the interest of transparency.

The announcement came shortly after Trump criticised former President Barack Obama over comments Obama reportedly made during a recent podcast appearance. Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, Trump accused Obama of disclosing sensitive information after the former president stated during a “lightning round” segment that aliens are real.

“He’s not supposed to say things like that,” Trump reportedly said, suggesting that Obama may have crossed a line by making such remarks publicly. Trump described the comments as a mistake, although he did not provide evidence that classified information had been revealed.

When asked whether he personally believes in the existence of extraterrestrial life, Trump offered a cautious response. He said he does not know whether aliens are real and added that, while many people strongly believe in their existence, he does not frequently discuss the topic and does not hold a firm personal opinion.

Obama’s comments, which sparked renewed debate online and across the media, were made during an interview on a podcast hosted by political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen. During the light-hearted segment, Obama said that while there are unexplained objects in the sky, there is no evidence they are being hidden in secret locations such as Area 51.

“They’re real in the sense that there are things we don’t fully understand,” Obama said, clarifying that he had never seen proof that extraterrestrials had made contact with Earth during his time in office. He later reiterated that point in an Instagram post, stressing that while the universe is vast and life elsewhere is statistically possible, he encountered no evidence of alien contact while serving as president from 2009 to 2017.

Following the renewed attention, Obama explained that his comments were not based on classified intelligence and were meant to reflect scientific curiosity rather than confirmation of extraterrestrial life. He emphasised that no secret information had been withheld from the public during his presidency.

Interest in UFOs and UAPs has surged in recent years, particularly after the U.S. government officially adopted the term “unidentified aerial phenomena” to describe sightings that cannot immediately be explained. Several reports and hearings have sought to address public questions about what the military has observed.

In 2024, the Pentagon released an official report stating that there was no evidence to suggest the U.S. government had encountered alien life. The report concluded that most UFO sightings could be explained as airborne clutter, natural phenomena, or misidentified foreign surveillance equipment.

Earlier, in 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives held a public hearing on UAPs, where former intelligence officials testified about unexplained sightings. However, the session did not produce concrete proof of extraterrestrial life, though it intensified calls for greater openness from government agencies.

Trump’s directive to release government files is expected to fuel further debate and speculation, especially among researchers, scientists, and members of the public who have long demanded full disclosure on the subject. Supporters argue that transparency will help dispel misinformation, while critics caution that misunderstood data could increase conspiracy theories.

As interest continues to grow worldwide, the potential release of additional government records may offer new insights—or raise even more questions—about what the U.S. government knows regarding unexplained aerial phenomena and the possibility of life beyond Earth.