Trump Directs Government to Release Files on UFOs and Aliens

Former president says he's unsure if aliens are real but wants more transparency on the topic.

Mar. 1, 2026 at 1:15pm

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Former President Donald Trump announced that he is directing the Pentagon and other government agencies to identify and release files related to extraterrestrials, UFOs, and unidentified aerial phenomena. Trump's directive comes after former President Barack Obama recently suggested in a podcast interview that aliens are real, though Obama clarified he has not seen evidence of aliens making contact. Trump said he doesn't know if aliens are real but wants more transparency on the topic due to "tremendous interest."

Why it matters

The renewed public interest in UFOs and potential alien life has led to increased government scrutiny and transparency on the topic. While past government investigations have not found evidence of extraterrestrial activity, Trump's directive could shed more light on what the government knows about unidentified aerial phenomena.

The details

Trump made the announcement in a social media post, hours after accusing former President Obama of disclosing "classified information" when Obama suggested in a podcast that aliens were real. Trump said he may "get [Obama] out of trouble by declassifying" information related to aliens and UFOs. The Pentagon has previously created an office to collect reports of military UFO encounters, but has said it has found no evidence of extraterrestrial technology or activity.

  • On February 20, 2026, Trump announced he was directing government agencies to release files on UFOs and aliens.
  • In 2022, Congress held the first hearings on UFOs in 50 years, though officials said the objects seen were likely drones.
  • In 2023, the head of the Pentagon's UFO investigation office said they had found no evidence of any extraterrestrial activity.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who announced the directive to release government files on UFOs and aliens.

Barack Obama

The former president of the United States who recently suggested in a podcast interview that aliens are real, though he clarified he has not seen evidence of aliens making contact.

All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO)

A Pentagon office created in 2022 to collect reports of military UFO encounters, though it has found no evidence of extraterrestrial technology or activity.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know if they're real or not.”

— Donald Trump (Associated Press)

“statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there's life out there.”

— Barack Obama (Associated Press)

“It is important to underscore that, to date, AARO has discovered no evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity, or technology.”

— Sean Kirkpatrick, Head of AARO (Associated Press)

What’s next

The Pentagon's AARO office is expected to continue collecting and investigating reports of unidentified aerial phenomena, though it remains to be seen what new information may be released as a result of Trump's directive.

The takeaway

While the government has not found evidence of extraterrestrial activity, the renewed public interest in UFOs and aliens has led to increased transparency and scrutiny on the topic. Trump's directive could shed more light on what the government knows, though past investigations have largely dismissed the possibility of alien visitation.