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Trump directs release of government UFO files
US President Donald Trump announced plans to declassify records related to extraterrestrial life and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), responding to public interest and a recent statement by former President Barack Obama.
Obama's remarks spark controversy
Trump's decision follows comments by Obama on a podcast last week, where he stated, "Aliens are real." The former president later clarified he had seen no evidence of extraterrestrial contact during his presidency but believed life likely exists beyond Earth due to the universe's vastness.
"I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!"
Barack Obama, via Instagram
Trump criticized Obama's initial remarks, calling them a "big mistake" and questioning whether classified information was disclosed. When asked if he believed in aliens, Trump replied, "I don't know if they're real or not."
Trump's directive to federal agencies
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would order agencies, including the Defense Department, to "begin the process of identifying and releasing" files on aliens, UAP, and UFOs. He cited "tremendous interest" in the topic as the reason for his decision.
Trump had earlier told reporters aboard Air Force One that he rarely discusses the subject but acknowledged widespread public belief in extraterrestrial life.
US government's stance on UFOs
Public fascination with UFOs surged after a 2017 report revealed a secret Pentagon program investigating military sightings of unexplained aerial objects. In 2022, Congress held its first UFO hearings in 50 years, with the Pentagon pledging greater transparency.
A 2024 Pentagon report found no evidence of alien encounters, attributing most UFO sightings to ordinary objects. A House panel on the topic also produced no definitive proof of extraterrestrial life.
Political backdrop
The exchange between Trump and Obama reflects their long-standing political rivalry. The BBC has sought comment from Obama's team but has not received a response.
