President Trump announced he would instruct US government agencies, including the Pentagon, to release classified files related to aliens, UFOs, and extraterrestrial life.
The announcement came after Trump publicly criticized former President Obama for commenting on the existence of aliens during a podcast interview.
Obama had told a podcast host that he personally believes aliens are real, though he clarified he never witnessed any evidence of extraterrestrial contact during his presidency and dismissed theories about secret underground facilities hiding aliens.
He later explained his remarks were based on the statistical probability that life exists somewhere in the vast universe.
Trump, despite previously telling reporters he had no strong opinion on the matter, reversed course within hours and posted on Truth Social that due to enormous public interest, he would pursue the declassification of relevant government records.
This comes despite a 2024 Pentagon report concluding there was no evidence the US government had ever encountered alien life, with most UFO sightings attributed to ordinary objects. A congressional hearing on the topic held in 2023 similarly produced no significant revelations.
The exchange highlights the longstanding political rivalry between Trump and Obama, with both men now unexpectedly drawn into the UFO debate.
