Washington D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon and other government agencies to begin identifying and releasing files related to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs, and “alien and extraterrestrial life.” The move, announced Thursday, comes amid growing public interest in the subject and follows recent comments by former President Barack Obama suggesting the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump stated his directive encompasses files concerning UAPs, UFOs, and “any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.” The announcement followed accusations leveled against Obama for disclosing “classified information” after the former president, in a podcast interview, acknowledged the statistical probability of life existing elsewhere in the universe.
“I don’t know if they’re real or not,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. He added, seemingly alluding to a potential attempt to mitigate any fallout from the release of sensitive information, “I may get him out of trouble by declassifying.”
The timing of Trump’s announcement is notable. Obama, during a weekend podcast appearance, clarified that he had not personally seen evidence of alien contact, but maintained that the sheer scale of the universe makes the existence of extraterrestrial life statistically probable. He specifically stated there was “no underground facility” like the frequently referenced Area 51 holding alien technology, unless a significant conspiracy had concealed it from the president.
The renewed focus on UAPs and extraterrestrial life follows years of increasing reports from military personnel and pilots of unexplained aerial phenomena. A 2023 report from Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, then head of the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), indicated that while numerous reports are received, no evidence of extraterrestrial beings or technology has been discovered to date. However, the Pentagon has acknowledged a significant number of unexplained cases remain under investigation.
AARO, established in July 2022, replaced a previous task force and serves as the central point for collecting and analyzing reports of UAP encounters across all military branches. A June 2024 report to Congress detailed 485 reported UAP sightings in the past year, with 118 identified as “prosaic objects” such as balloons, birds, and drones. The report explicitly stated that AARO had found no evidence of extraterrestrial activity.
Public interest in the topic was further fueled in 2017 when former Pentagon officials leaked Navy videos depicting unidentified objects exhibiting unusual flight characteristics. These videos prompted the first congressional hearings on UFOs in over half a century in May 2022, though officials suggested the observed objects were likely drones.
Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, had hinted at a forthcoming announcement on the subject earlier this week, suggesting the president had prepared a speech on aliens. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the claim as news to her during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The move to declassify and release these files represents a shift in approach from previous administrations, though the extent of the information to be released and the potential impact on public perception remain to be seen. The announcement also raises questions about the potential for uncovering previously unknown details about government investigations into UAPs and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The impetus for the release, according to Trump, is simply “tremendous interest” in the subject.
The forthcoming release of government files is likely to be closely scrutinized by both the scientific community and those who have long advocated for greater transparency regarding UAPs. The implications of any revealed information could range from confirming the existence of previously unknown aerial technologies to potentially sparking a broader debate about the possibility of life beyond Earth.
