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

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

Trump says he will seek release of files on extraterrestrials, "based on the tremendous interest shown".

February 20, 2026 at 01:36 AM Original source
14 agencies covered this story

Coverage by Political Leaning

See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story

Left
2 articles
Lean Left
4 articles
Center
5 articles
Lean Right
3 articles
Right
0 articles
No coverage

Notable Quotes

"Well, I don't know if they're real or not."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"They're real, but I haven't seen them, and they're not being kept in Area 51."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"I don’t know if they’re real or not."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"I may get him out of trouble by declassifying."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"A speech on aliens would be news to me."

— Karoline Leavitt , Politician

"AARO has discovered no evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity, or technology."

— Sean Kirkpatrick , Academic

"Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"They’ve deployed the ultimate weapon of mass distraction, but the Epstein files aren’t going away… even for aliens."

— Thomas Massie , Politician

"Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs)."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"Thank you POTUS! As the Chairwoman of the Task Force that investigates these subjects, we are incredibly grateful for you doing this!"

— Anna Paulina Luna , Politician

"Trump’s decision is fantastic and saying that 'America and the world deserve this.'"

— John Fetterman , Politician

"Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"They're real, but I haven't seen them, and they're not being kept in Area 51."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"A speech on aliens would be news to me."

— Karoline Leavitt , Politician

"I don’t know if they’re real or not."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"A speech on aliens would be news to me."

— Karoline Leavitt , Politician

"to date, AARO has discovered no evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity, or technology."

— Sean Kirkpatrick , Academic

"Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"They’re real, but I haven’t seen them."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"I don’t know if they’re real or not."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"They’re real, but I haven’t seen them."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"The president had a speech prepared to deliver on aliens that he would give at the 'right time.'"

— Lara Trump , Influencer

"A speech on aliens would be news to me."

— Karoline Leavitt , Politician

"He's not supposed to be doing that."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"They're real, but I haven't seen them, and they're not being kept in Area 51."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"If he’s going to release all of the X-Files, I think that could be a bipartisan thing."

— John Fetterman , Politician

"Looks like we are about to have a ton of hearings on this :)!"

— Anna Paulina Luna , Politician

All Coverage

BBC Newsvia rss 2 quotes 2 persons

Trump says he will seek release of files on extraterrestrials, "based on the tremendous interest shown".

100%
Associated Pressvia ai 5 quotes 4 persons

President Donald Trump announced he is directing the Pentagon and other government agencies to identify and release files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs due to 'tremendous interest.'

80%
Timevia ai 3 quotes 3 persons

In response to renewed public interest in extraterrestrial phenomena, former President Donald Trump announced he would direct the declassification of government records related to aliens, UFOs, and UAPs.

80%
Al Jazeeravia ai 4 quotes 4 persons

President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon and other government agencies to release files related to UFOs and extraterrestrial life, citing 'tremendous interest.'

80%
Sky Newsvia ai 3 quotes 3 persons

President Donald Trump announced he will direct the Pentagon and other US agencies to release 'government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life.'

80%
ABC Newsvia ai 4 quotes 4 persons

President Donald Trump announced he is directing the Pentagon and other government ... due to 'tremendous interest.'

80%
Al-Monitorvia ai

President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to declassify and release government records pertaining to extraterrestrial life and other unexplained aerial phenomena.

80%
Anadolu Agencyvia ai 3 quotes 2 persons

President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to declassify and release government records pertaining to extraterrestrial life and other unexplained aerial phenomena.

80%
The Guardianvia ai 4 quotes 4 persons

Donald Trump announced he is directing the defense department and other agencies to release whatever files they have on the search for alien life.

80%
Yahoo! Newsvia ai 4 quotes 4 persons

President Donald Trump said he was directing agencies to release files pertaining to 'alien and extraterrestrial life.'

80%
Al-Monitorvia ai

President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to declassify and release government records pertaining to extraterrestrial life and other unexplained aerial phenomena, following public interest and recent comments by former President Obama.

80%
Newsweekvia ai

President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post that he has directed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to begin identifying and releasing any government files related to unidentified flying objects (UFO ... ) and aliens following significant interest over the past week.

80%
Al-Monitorvia ai

President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon and other government agencies ... release files related to UFOs and extraterrestrial life, citing public interest and recent comments by former President Obama.

80%
CBS Newsvia ai

President Trump directed his administration to release files on UFOs and any 'alien and extraterrestrial life,' following former President Obama's comments suggesting the existence of aliens.

80%