US President Donald Trump has said he will direct federal agencies, including the Pentagon, to begin releasing government records related to aliens, unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), describing the subject as one of strong public interest. The announcement follows renewed debate sparked by remarks made by former US President Barack Obama about the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that he would instruct Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other relevant departments to identify and declassify files connected to extraterrestrial life and unexplained aerial sightings. He described the issue as “extremely interesting and important” and said the process would involve reviewing and releasing government-held information linked to UFO investigations and related phenomena.
Trump’s statement came shortly after comments by Barack Obama during a podcast interview in which the former president discussed the likelihood of life beyond Earth. Obama said that, given the vast scale of the universe, it is statistically plausible that humanity is not alone. However, he clarified that during his presidency he had seen no evidence suggesting extraterrestrials had visited Earth or made contact with humans, and dismissed conspiracy theories involving secret facilities such as Area 51.
Responding to those remarks, Trump accused Obama of potentially disclosing information derived from classified presidential briefings, though he did not present evidence that any sensitive material had been revealed. Speaking to reporters while travelling to Georgia, Trump suggested that if Obama’s comments were based on classified intelligence, they could constitute improper disclosure, stating that such information should not be publicly discussed.
Obama later reiterated his position, explaining that his comments were intended to address probabilities rather than confirm alien presence. He emphasised that while the vastness of the universe makes extraterrestrial life statistically possible, the enormous distances between star systems make visits to Earth unlikely. He added that no evidence of alien contact had emerged during his time in office.
The exchange has revived longstanding public fascination with UFOs and government transparency surrounding unidentified aerial phenomena. In recent years, US defence and intelligence agencies have acknowledged investigating unexplained aerial sightings, though officials have consistently stated that no verified evidence of extraterrestrial origin has been established. Trump’s proposed release of additional records is expected to renew debate over what information governments possess and how much of it should be made public.
