WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2026. In a groundbreaking move that has captured worldwide attention, President Donald Trump announced that he is directing federal agencies, including the Pentagon, to locate and release government records related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs), unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and extraterrestrial life.
The announcement, made on Trump’s Truth Social platform, emphasized the president’s desire to satisfy public curiosity and promote transparency. “We want the people to know what we know,” Trump wrote, urging agencies to release all relevant documents without unnecessary delay. He described the move as a response to “the tremendous public interest in these matters.”
Trump’s directive comes amid heightened public interest following remarks by former President Barack Obama, who stated that while he had not seen direct evidence of alien life, the vastness of the universe makes the existence of extraterrestrial life statistically plausible. Trump criticized Obama’s comments, claiming they may have disclosed sensitive information, though no evidence has been presented to substantiate this claim.
Speaking to reporters, Trump admitted, “I don’t know if aliens are real or not,” but emphasized the importance of transparency. He framed the directive as an opportunity to “let the American people see what has been kept from them.”
The decision taps into a long-standing fascination in the United States and around the world with UFOs and extraterrestrial life. From the Roswell incident in 1947 to the creation of the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in 2022, government agencies have investigated unexplained aerial phenomena, often keeping findings classified. While many sightings have been attributed to misidentified aircraft, drones, or natural phenomena, some remain unexplained, fueling speculation about extraterrestrial contact.
Under the president’s order, federal agencies are now required to identify and release all records that relate to these topics. This includes reports and documentation of UFOs and UAPs, government files referencing alien or extraterrestrial life, and any other materials linked to unexplained aerial phenomena. Officials have stressed that the effort will involve a careful review to balance transparency with national security concerns and that some documents may be heavily redacted before being made public.
The announcement has elicited a variety of responses. Supporters praise the move as a bold step toward government accountability and transparency, while critics argue that releasing certain documents could pose security risks. Scientists have largely welcomed increased attention to unexplained phenomena but emphasize the need for rigorous, evidence-based investigation rather than speculation.
Public interest in UFOs remains high. Polls show that a significant portion of Americans believe the government may have withheld information about extraterrestrial encounters. By directing the release of these files, Trump has tapped into both curiosity and longstanding cultural fascination with the unknown.
Federal agencies are now tasked with reviewing the requested files, a process expected to involve careful legal and security considerations. While some documents may answer long-standing questions, experts warn that many releases could spark even greater debate and curiosity.
As the world waits, Trump’s directive has once again placed UFOs, UAPs, and the possibility of alien life at the center of public conversation, highlighting the enduring allure of the unknown and the persistent human desire for answers beyond Earth.
