Trump Calls for Release of Files on UFOs and Aliens

President Trump says he will direct agencies to identify and release government information on extraterrestrial life and unidentified aerial phenomena.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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In a Truth Social post, former President Donald Trump announced that he will be directing the Secretary of War and other relevant government agencies to begin the process of identifying and releasing files related to UFOs, aliens, and unidentified aerial phenomena. This comes after recent comments from former President Barack Obama about his belief in the existence of aliens, though he said he has not seen any proof they have visited Earth.

Why it matters

The release of government files on UFOs and aliens has been a long-standing request from researchers and enthusiasts in this field. Trump's announcement, if followed through, could shed new light on the government's knowledge and investigations into these topics that have been shrouded in secrecy for decades.

The details

Trump's post did not provide a specific timeline for the release of the files, but said he would be directing relevant agencies to begin the process. Earlier, Trump told reporters he was unsure if aliens are real, and said he may 'get Obama out of trouble' by declassifying information. Obama had recently commented on his belief in the existence of alien life, though he said he has not seen proof they have visited Earth.

  • On February 16, 2026, former President Barack Obama spoke about his belief in aliens on a podcast.
  • On February 20, 2026, former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he would direct agencies to release files on UFOs and aliens.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who announced the planned release of government files on UFOs and aliens.

Barack Obama

The former President of the United States who recently spoke about his belief in the existence of aliens, though he said he has not seen proof they have visited Earth.

Robert Bigelow

A Las Vegas aerospace and real estate tycoon who has likely spent more money on UFO research than any other individual, founding the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) in the 1990s.

George Knapp

The 8 News Now Chief Investigator in Las Vegas who has been investigating aliens as a journalist for decades and recently testified before a Congressional task force on the declassification of federal secrets related to unidentified aerial phenomena.

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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 exremely interesting and important, matters.”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

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

— Donald Trump (Air Force One)

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

— Barack Obama (Podcast)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This announcement by former President Trump, if followed through, could mark a significant shift in the government's approach to transparency around UFOs and extraterrestrial life, a topic that has long been shrouded in secrecy and speculation.