Trump orders Pentagon to release files on UFOs and aliens
Deutsche Welle
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
US President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon and other government agencies to declassify information related to extraterrestrial life and unidentified flying objects (UFOs) due to what he described as "tremendous interest." In a social media post, Trump mentioned that while he is unsure about the existence of aliens, he believes the topic's popularity warrants the release of previously classified data. This move comes shortly after Trump criticized former President Barack Obama for allegedly disclosing classified information during a podcast interview where Obama expressed his belief in the existence of extraterrestrials.
During the podcast, Obama stated that while he personally believes aliens are real, he did not encounter any evidence of their existence during his presidency and emphasized that they were not being held at Area 51. His comments sparked widespread attention and led to a clarification on Instagram, where he acknowledged the statistical likelihood of extraterrestrial life but noted the low probability of alien contact given the vast distances in space.
Public interest in UFOs and extraterrestrials has long been fueled by numerous conspiracy theories and speculative discussions across internet forums and social media. This curiosity was further reignited recently following government investigations into several reported sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena. However, a March 2024 Pentagon report concluded that there is no evidence to suggest these incidents involve alien technology.
The renewed focus on UFOs and extraterrestrials highlights the enduring fascination with神秘现象and the ongoing debate over government transparency. Trump's directive
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/20/2026