President Donald Trump says he will direct US agencies to prepare the release of files on aliens and UFOs, while criticising former President Barack Obama over recent comments.
US President Donald Trump said he will direct government agencies, including the defence department, to “begin the process of identifying and releasing” files related to aliens and extraterrestrial life.
Speaking after former President Barack Obama said on a podcast that “aliens are real,” Trump told reporters, “He’s not supposed to be doing that,” adding, “He made a big mistake.” Asked if he believes aliens exist, Trump said: “Well, I don’t know if they’re real or not.”
Obama later clarified on Instagram: “I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!” Trump subsequently posted that, “based on the tremendous interest shown,” he would seek the release of files related to “alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs).”
A 2024 Pentagon report said there was “no evidence” the US government had encountered alien life.