Trump Orders Release of Files on 'Alien and Extraterrestrial Life'

President says he will direct the Department of Defense to start the process of identifying and releasing government files related to UFOs and other extraterrestrial matters.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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President Donald Trump announced that he will direct the Department of Defense 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). The announcement comes after former President Barack Obama recently commented on the likelihood of life elsewhere in the universe.

Why it matters

The release of classified information about UFOs and extraterrestrial life has long been a subject of public fascination and conspiracy theories. Trump's directive could shed new light on the government's knowledge and handling of these sensitive matters, though the full scope and implications remain unclear.

The details

Trump said he will order the Secretary of War and other relevant agencies to start the process of identifying and releasing files on alien and extraterrestrial life, UAP, and UFOs. This announcement comes after Obama's recent comments about the existence of aliens, which Trump criticized as a leak of classified information.

  • On February 19, 2026, President Trump made the announcement on social media.
  • Earlier that day, Trump was asked by reporters about Obama's comments on aliens and accused the former president of leaking classified information.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States who announced the directive to release files on alien and extraterrestrial life.

Barack Obama

The 44th President of the United States who recently commented on the likelihood of life elsewhere in the universe, which Trump criticized as a leak of classified information.

Karoline Leavitt

The White House Press Secretary who described Trump's announcement as "OUT OF THIS WORLD NEWS" on social media.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Social media statement)

“They're real, 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.”

— Barack Obama, Former President of the United States (Podcast appearance)

“He's not supposed to be doing that. He made, he made a big mistake. He took it out of classified information.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Comments to reporters aboard Air Force One)

What’s next

The Department of Defense and other relevant agencies will begin the process of identifying and releasing government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena, and unidentified flying objects.

The takeaway

Trump's directive to release classified information about UFOs and extraterrestrial life reflects the longstanding public fascination with these topics, though the full scope and implications of the document release remain to be seen. The announcement also highlights the ongoing tensions between current and former presidents over the handling of sensitive government information.