President Trump orders Pentagon to release UFO and alien files in February 2026 to show secret space records

This order is a big change because the government usually keeps these files secret. Now, the Pentagon must find and share hundreds of reports about strange objects in the sky.
By Newsroom | Politics, United States |

President Donald Trump has ordered government agencies to identify and release files related to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and extraterrestrial life. The directive, issued via a social media post, cited "tremendous interest" as the driving factor. This action follows former President Barack Obama's recent comments on a podcast where he discussed the statistical likelihood of life beyond Earth.

Background of the Directive

The decision to declassify documents concerning UFOs and potential extraterrestrial life stems from a specific exchange between President Trump and former President Obama.

  • On a recent podcast, former President Obama suggested that the universe's vastness makes the existence of alien life statistically probable. He later clarified that this was a statement about odds, not about having seen evidence of alien contact.

  • In response to Obama's remarks, President Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating that he was directing the Pentagon and other relevant government agencies to begin identifying and releasing files related to these topics.

  • Trump's initial public statements after Obama's podcast suggested he believed Obama had disclosed classified information, though this has not been substantiated.

  • The Pentagon has a history of tracking UAP reports, with military personnel logging hundreds of unexplained sightings. Some lawmakers have urged the Pentagon to investigate these phenomena for potential safety or national security threats.

Scope of the Order

President Trump's directive is broad, encompassing various categories of information related to the subject.

Trump says he doesn’t know if aliens are real but directs government to release files on UFOs, more - 1

  • The order specifically requests the identification and release of files concerning:

  • Alien and extraterrestrial life

  • Unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP)

  • Unidentified flying objects (UFOs)

  • Any and all other information connected to these matters.

  • The directive was issued to the Secretary of Defense and other agency heads, instructing them to "begin the process of identifying and releasing" the relevant files.

Public and Political Reactions

The announcement has generated varied responses from political figures and the public, reflecting the enduring fascination with the subject.

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged the directive on social media, posting a screenshot of Trump's announcement with relevant emojis.

  • Former President Obama, when asked about the possibility of aliens, stated he had seen "no evidence" of alien existence during his time in office, reiterating his belief in the statistical probability of extraterrestrial life.

  • Public interest in UFOs and potential government secrecy surrounding extraterrestrial life re-emerged significantly after former Pentagon and government officials leaked Navy videos of unexplained objects to major news outlets in 2017.

Analysis of Motivations

The decision to order the release of these files appears to be influenced by a confluence of public interest and a recent political exchange.

Read More: President Trump Orders Release of Government UFO Files After Obama Comments

  • The directive explicitly mentions "tremendous interest shown" as a justification, acknowledging the significant public fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrial life.

  • The timing of the order, directly following former President Obama's remarks on the topic, suggests a potential element of political reaction or engagement with Obama's statements.

  • While President Trump has expressed a direct order, the specifics of what will be declassified and the timeline for release remain points of clarification.

Next Steps

The immediate next steps involve government agencies beginning the process of identifying and preparing the requested files for potential release. The full implications of this directive will depend on the nature of the documents that are ultimately declassified and made public.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did President Trump order the release of UFO files on Truth Social in February 2026?
President Trump said there is a lot of public interest in these secrets. He wants to show the records to everyone after former President Obama talked about the chance of life in space.
Q: What specific files did the Pentagon receive orders to release about aliens and UFOs?
The order tells the Secretary of Defense to find all files about Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) and extraterrestrial life. This includes any information the government has about strange objects seen by military pilots.
Q: How did former President Obama's podcast comments lead to the new UFO file order?
Obama said on a podcast that it is likely there is life in space because the universe is so big. Trump saw this and decided the government should share its own files to show what they know.
Q: What will Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth do with the UFO records after Trump's order?
Pete Hegseth said he received the order and will start the work to find the files. He will lead the Pentagon in preparing these documents so the public can read them soon.
Q: When will the public be able to read the declassified UFO and extraterrestrial documents?
The order started in February 2026, but the government has not given an exact date for the release yet. Agencies are currently looking through hundreds of files to get them ready for the public.