Trump said relevant departments would start reviewing classified materials for potential disclosure. He did not specify a timeline or which files might be made public, but framed the move as part of a transparency effort. The announcement marks one of the most explicit recent statements by a sitting U.S. president on releasing records tied to long-standing speculation about unexplained aerial sightings.
Speaking earlier in a television interview with Fox News, Trump criticised Obama for remarks made during a podcast appearance hosted by political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen. When asked whether extraterrestrial life exists, Trump avoided a direct answer and instead accused Obama of improperly discussing classified information. “He made a big mistake,” Trump said, suggesting former presidents should not comment on sensitive matters.
The controversy stems from a rapid-fire segment in which Obama responded “They’re real” when asked about aliens. The clip spread widely online, prompting speculation and political reactions. Obama later clarified in a social media post that he meant life elsewhere in the universe is statistically plausible given its vast scale, but that he had seen no evidence during his presidency of alien contact or visitation. He also dismissed claims of hidden beings at Area 51.
Government interest in unexplained aerial phenomena has grown in recent years, with defence and intelligence agencies acknowledging encounters that remain unresolved. Officials have emphasised that such incidents are treated primarily as national security and aviation safety matters rather than proof of extraterrestrial technology.
Analysts say Trump’s order could intensify scrutiny of classified aerospace and defence archives, though any release would likely undergo national security review and redaction. Historically, document disclosures on unidentified aerial sightings have revealed technical uncertainties rather than definitive evidence of non-human activity.
The episode underscores how public fascination with extraterrestrial life continues to intersect with politics, media, and national security. Whether the forthcoming review produces substantive disclosures or largely procedural updates may determine how long the latest wave of speculation persists.
