Donald Trump says he plans to give Americans something they’ve wanted for decades: the release of government documents connected to aliens, extraterrestrial life and UFOs.
For generations, people around the world have been fascinated by the possibility of life beyond Earth, with some arguments and accounts sounding more convincing than others.
Some individuals insist they’ve seen or even documented otherworldly visitors, while others remain sceptical. Former president Barack Obama recently found himself addressing the subject directly after being asked about it publicly.
Obama sparked debate during an appearance on Brian Tyler Cohen’s podcast when he stated that aliens are, in fact, ‘real’.
Because a former US president is among the few people who might plausibly have access to sensitive information on the topic, the remark quickly drew widespread attention.
Obama continued on the show: “But I haven’t seen them, and they’re not being kept in Area 51. There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.”
The comments caused enough of a reaction that Obama later clarified his meaning on Instagram, saying he was referring to how ‘the odds are good there’s life out there’. Trump, however, criticised Obama for weighing in at all.
Asked about Obama’s interview, Trump responded: “He’s not supposed to be doing that. He made a big mistake.”
Even so, Trump has now indicated he intends to push the conversation further, citing the intense public focus on the issue as a reason for sharing more information.
In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Trump was also questioned about whether he believes aliens exist in the wake of Obama’s remarks, but he avoided taking a firm position, saying: “I don’t know if they’re real or not. I don’t have an opinion on it. I never talk about it. A lot of people do. A lot of people believe it.”
There’s no confirmed timeline for when any such records might be made public, but many will be watching closely in the hope that they shed light on questions that have lingered for decades.