Trump Orders UFO Files Release: Aliens, UAPs & Declassification

President Trump on Thursday directed his administration to release files pertaining to UFOs and any information regarding “alien and extraterrestrial life,” a subject that has captivated the public imagination for decades.

In a post on Truth Social, the president instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other relevant agency heads “to begin the process of identifying and releasing” any and all files related to the topic. He further called for the release of “any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.”

The specifics of what files might be released, or what information they contain, remain unclear. The Pentagon has been tracking reports of what it terms unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) for years. However, a 2024 report from the military indicated that no government investigation into UAPs has yet confirmed the existence of extraterrestrial life.

This announcement follows recent comments from former President Barack Obama, who stated in a podcast interview that aliens are “real,” though he later clarified that he had not seen any evidence of contact during his time in office. Obama explained his belief stems from the statistical probability of life existing elsewhere in the vast universe.

When questioned about Obama’s remarks on Thursday, Mr. Trump told reporters he was unsure whether aliens exist, but suggested his predecessor “made a big mistake” by disclosing classified information. He added, “I may get him out of trouble by declassifying.”

The National Archives has already begun releasing records related to UAPs, fulfilling requirements outlined in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act to establish a dedicated “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Records Collection.” In April 2025, the Archives released records related to the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and 25 boxes of newly declassified National Security Council records, including materials pertaining to the Vietnam War and relations with China.

Interest in the potential release of UFO-related files has sparked activity on prediction markets. Polymarket, a platform for betting on future events, is currently seeing significant wagering on whether Trump will release substantial information on the topic, according to reports.

Senator Chuck Schumer has also called on Trump to declassify government files on UFOs, adding to the growing pressure for transparency.

The Pentagon received hundreds of reports on UAPs following a 2024 hearing, with 21 cases identified for “further analysis” due to their unusual characteristics. Despite this, officials have maintained there is no evidence of extraterrestrial activity.