Trump Directs U.S. Government to Declassify UFO and Alien Documents
Former United States President Donald Trump announced on Thursday, February 19, that he is instructing federal agencies to initiate the process of identifying and releasing government files concerning UFOs and extraterrestrial life. This move comes in response to the long-standing and growing public fascination with the subject of unidentified aerial phenomena and potential alien encounters.
Trump's Directive on Truth Social
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump explicitly stated: “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).” He further emphasized that these files should encompass “any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.” Notably, Trump did not clarify whether classified documents would be made fully accessible to the public, leaving some ambiguity about the extent of the declassification.
Political Context and Obama's Remarks
Earlier on the same day, the Republican former president criticized comments made by his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, during a recent podcast appearance. Obama had addressed the topic of UFOs, telling host Brian Tyler Cohen: “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them and they’re not being kept in… Area 51,” referencing the secretive US military facility in Nevada often linked to UFO conspiracy theories. He added, “There’s no underground facility. Unless, there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.”
When questioned about these remarks, Trump told reporters that Obama “gave classified information, he is not supposed to be doing that.” Although Trump did not specify which part of Obama's statements he believed to be classified, he asserted, “he made a big mistake.” This exchange highlights the ongoing political tensions and differing perspectives on transparency regarding UFO-related information.
Trump's Personal Views and Public Interest
When asked about his own beliefs regarding extraterrestrial life, the 79-year-old former president responded, “I don’t know if they are real or not.” To date, no verified evidence has been produced that confirms the existence of intelligent life beyond Earth, underscoring the speculative nature of the topic.
Public interest in UFOs, now more formally referred to by US authorities as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), has significantly increased in recent years. This surge is partly due to Pentagon investigations into unexplained sightings, with some officials expressing concerns that certain incidents might involve advanced technologies developed by foreign adversaries, rather than extraterrestrial origins.
Recent Government Reports and Implications
In March 2024, the United States Department of Defense released a report stating it had found no proof that UAP represented alien technology. The report concluded that many cases were likely attributable to conventional explanations such as:
- Weather balloons
- Surveillance aircraft
- Satellites
- Other mundane phenomena
Trump's directive signals a renewed political focus on transparency surrounding decades of government records tied to UFO investigations. It aims to address public curiosity and potentially shed light on historical mysteries, while also reflecting the broader debate over government secrecy and accountability in matters of national security and public interest.
