Obama clarifies views on aliens after saying 'they're real' on podcast

February 16, 2026

Former President Barack Obama issued a clarification on Instagram after his quick response about aliens during a podcast interview generated widespread media attention. During a rapid-fire question round with host Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama stated that aliens are real but added he hasn't seen them and they aren't being hidden at Area 51. His Sunday clarification explained he was maintaining the fast-paced spirit of the segment, and while he believes statistically life likely exists elsewhere in the universe given its vastness, the enormous distances between solar systems make alien visitation to Earth improbable.

Who is affected

Former President Barack Obama (subject of media attention and needed to clarify his statements)
Brian Tyler Cohen (podcast host who interviewed Obama)
Media outlets (ran stories about Obama's initial comments)
Online audiences (attracted attention and engaged with the story)

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The article only describes completed actions (Obama made comments, published a clarification, and previously asked about aliens when taking office).

Why it matters

This matters because statements from a former US president about extraterrestrial life generate significant public interest and media coverage, particularly given ongoing public curiosity about UFOs and government knowledge of unexplained phenomena. Obama's position as someone who had access to classified information during his presidency gives his statements additional credibility and newsworthiness, making clarification necessary when his rapid-fire response was taken out of context.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC