Trump Orders Release of UFO and Alien Files

President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon and other federal agencies to release government records related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs), unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), extraterrestrial life, and related subjects. The announcement, made on February 19, 2026, via Trump’s Truth Social platform, follows renewed public interest in the topic sparked by comments from former President Barack Obama.

Trump’s Directive

“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,” Trump stated according to Politico.

The president did not specify a timeline for the release of the records or detail the nature of the information contained within them. CNN reports that the directive includes the Secretary of War and other relevant agencies.

Obama’s Comments and Trump’s Criticism

The move comes after former President Barack Obama acknowledged the existence of aliens in a recent podcast interview, stating, “They’re real but I haven’t seen them.” As reported by Le Monde, Obama later clarified his remarks, explaining that his statement was based on the statistical likelihood of life existing elsewhere in the universe, but emphasized the vast distances involved make visitation unlikely and that he saw no evidence of contact during his presidency.

Trump criticized Obama’s comments, suggesting his predecessor had shared classified information. Le Monde notes Trump claimed Obama’s remarks referenced information about Area 51.

Pentagon’s Ongoing Investigations

The Pentagon has been increasing its efforts to investigate UFOs through the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office. A 2024 report from the office found no evidence of alien life, but continues to catalog and track reported sightings. Politico highlights this ongoing work.

Public Interest and Potential Release

The announcement has generated significant public interest, with many eager to learn more about what the government knows regarding UFOs and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The timing and extent of the information released remain uncertain. YouTube provides coverage of the announcement.