US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is directing federal agencies to begin “identifying and releasing” government records related to UFOs, aliens, and other unexplained aerial phenomena, fulfilling a long-standing demand from enthusiasts and researchers interested in extraterrestrial life.
“Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, 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),” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
He added that the files should also encompass “any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.” While he did not clarify whether classified information would be made public, the announcement marks a significant move toward transparency on a topic that has fascinated Americans for decades.
Earlier Thursday, Trump criticized former President Barack Obama, suggesting that he had revealed “classified” details about extraterrestrial life during a recent podcast. Obama, speaking on the viral show hosted by Brian Tyler Cohen, stated, “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them and they’re not being kept in… Area 51.” The former president dismissed claims of a secret underground facility, saying, “There’s no underground facility. Unless, there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.”
Responding to these remarks, Trump told reporters that Obama “gave classified information, he is not supposed to be doing that,” adding that the former president “made a big mistake.” Despite his public interest in UFOs, Trump admitted uncertainty about their existence, saying, “I don’t know if they are real or not.” To date, no verified evidence has emerged proving intelligent extraterrestrial life exists.
Interest in UFOs and unidentified aerial phenomena has surged in recent years as the US government investigated multiple reports of unexplained aerial activity, raising concerns that foreign adversaries might be testing highly advanced technologies.
In March 2024, the Pentagon released a report asserting that it had no evidence to suggest that UAP sightings represented alien technology, noting that many unusual observations were explained as weather balloons, spy planes, satellites, or other conventional phenomena.
Trump’s directive, which calls on federal agencies to identify and release all relevant records, reflects both public curiosity and ongoing political attention to UFO phenomena, as well as broader debates over transparency and national security.
The announcement could prompt additional scrutiny of previously classified or little-known government documents related to unidentified aerial objects and extraterrestrial research.
What you should know
President Donald Trump has ordered federal agencies to begin reviewing and releasing files connected to UFOs, UAPs, and extraterrestrial life, responding to decades of public and scientific interest.
While he criticized former President Obama for allegedly disclosing “classified” information about aliens on a podcast, Trump admitted uncertainty about the reality of extraterrestrial life. The initiative comes as US authorities continue to investigate unexplained aerial sightings, many of which have been attributed to weather balloons, satellites, or foreign technology.
No confirmed evidence of intelligent alien life exists, but Trump’s directive could make previously unreleased government documents accessible for public review, potentially reigniting debate on UFO transparency.
