Washington: US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon and federal agencies to release government files on UFOs, Area 51, and extraterrestrial life, responding to public fascination and recent comments by former President Barack Obama.
In a Thursday Truth Social post, Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials to identify and disclose all relevant documents on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), flying objects (UFOs), and related matters, calling them "highly complex, but extremely interesting and important."
The move follows Trump's claim that Obama revealed classified information by stating aliens are "real" on a podcast. "Made a big mistake. I may get him out of trouble by declassifying," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Obama later clarified via social media that he saw no evidence of extraterrestrial contact during his presidency, attributing his view to the universe's vastness.
Details remain unclear on which files will emerge. A 2024 Pentagon report found no proof of extraterrestrial involvement in UAP sightings despite ongoing investigations.