Trump directs US government to prepare release of files on aliens and UFOs

February 20, 2026

President Donald Trump announced he will direct US agencies to identify and release government files related to aliens, UFOs, and extraterrestrial life, citing public interest in the topic. This announcement came after Trump criticized former President Barack Obama for stating on a podcast that "aliens are real," though Obama later clarified he meant life likely exists elsewhere in the universe statistically and saw no evidence of alien contact during his presidency. Trump questioned whether Obama's podcast comments violated rules about revealing classified information, though there was no indication Obama used classified material.

Who is affected

President Donald Trump (taking the action)
Former President Barack Obama (criticized for podcast comments)
US federal agencies including the Department of Defense (directed to release files)
The general public interested in UFO/alien information
Military pilots and personnel who have reported UFO sightings
Podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen (conducted the Obama interview)

What action is being taken

President Trump is directing US agencies, including the defense department, to begin identifying and releasing government files related to aliens, extraterrestrial life, UAPs, and UFOs.

Why it matters

This matters because it represents a potential release of long-sought government information about UFOs and possible extraterrestrial encounters, addressing sustained public curiosity about whether the government possesses hidden knowledge on these subjects. The announcement also highlights ongoing political tensions between Trump and Obama, with Trump using Obama's podcast comments as justification for his directive. Additionally, it reflects the growing legitimacy given to UFO investigations, building on recent Congressional hearings and Pentagon transparency efforts, though previous official reports have found no evidence of alien life.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC