US President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon and other federal agencies to begin releasing government records related to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and any material linked to aliens or extra-terrestrial life. The announcement has once again brought public attention to the long-running mystery surrounding “Area 51” and claims about secret government knowledge of alien encounters.
Speaking on Thursday, Trump said he has asked Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other senior officials to identify and declassify documents connected to what the government now calls Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). These are objects seen in the sky that cannot be immediately explained. Trump said the subject has fascinated Americans for decades and has led to many theories, books, and films.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote that he had instructed officials to start reviewing and releasing all relevant records. He added that the agencies should also make public “any and all other information” related to these matters. According to him, the issue is complex but important, and the public deserves greater transparency.
However, it is still unclear which specific files may be released or what information they might contain. Over the years, the Pentagon has documented many sightings of unidentified objects in the sky. Some of these sightings were reported by military pilots and recorded using advanced equipment. In recent years, the US government has acknowledged these incidents but has avoided linking them to alien life.
In 2024, a military review examined decades of reports and investigations into UFO sightings. The assessment concluded that there was no evidence from any official inquiry showing that these incidents involved extra-terrestrial beings. The report stated that while some cases remain unexplained, there is no proof that aliens were involved.
Trump’s order comes shortly after comments made by former President Barack Obama during a podcast interview earlier in the week. Obama said that aliens are real, a remark that quickly went viral and sparked debate online. Later, he clarified his statement. He explained that while he believes life may exist somewhere in the vast universe, he had never seen any evidence of contact between humans and extra-terrestrial beings during his time in office.
Obama said his belief is based on the idea that the universe is extremely large, with billions of galaxies and planets. From a scientific point of view, he suggested, it seems possible that life could exist elsewhere. However, he made it clear that he had no direct knowledge or classified information proving that aliens have visited Earth.
When reporters asked Trump about Obama’s remarks, he said he was not sure whether aliens exist. At the same time, he criticised the former president, saying Obama may have made a mistake by speaking publicly about such a sensitive subject. Trump suggested that Obama could have revealed classified information, even if unintentionally.
“I may get him out of trouble by declassifying,” Trump told reporters, implying that making the records public could clear up confusion and prevent misunderstandings.
The mystery around Area 51, a highly secure US Air Force facility in Nevada, has played a major role in alien conspiracy theories for years. Many people believe the base is linked to secret experiments or hidden evidence of alien spacecraft. The US government has acknowledged the existence of the base but has consistently denied claims that it stores alien bodies or spacecraft.
Public interest in UFOs has increased in recent years, especially after the Pentagon released videos showing unexplained flying objects recorded by Navy pilots. These videos led to more questions about what the government knows and whether all information has been shared with the public.
By ordering the release of more records, Trump has reopened a debate that has continued for generations. Whether the newly released documents will answer long-standing questions or simply add to the mystery remains to be seen.