Trump orders Pentagon to release ‘alien’, ‘ET’ records after Obama’s viral claims

The mystery around “Area 51” that we have seen in countless movies and read in the US could soon be unmasked. US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he has asked his administration to start releasing government records related to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and any material tied to “alien and extraterrestrial life”. He said the topic has fascinated the public for decades and fuelled numerous speculative claims. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other agency leaders to begin identifying and disclosing all relevant documents. He added that officials should also make public “any and all other information” connected to what he described as complex yet significant matters. ## No clarity on type of files to be released It remains uncertain which files could be made public or what they might reveal. The Pentagon has logged sightings of what it terms unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs, for many years. However, a 2024 military assessment stated there was no proof from any government inquiry that such incidents involved extraterrestrial beings. Trump’s directive followed remarks earlier in the week from former President Barack Obama, who stirred discussion after telling a podcast host that aliens are real. He later clarified he had never encountered evidence of contact between humans and extraterrestrial life while in office, explaining that his belief stems from the vastness of the universe and the statistical likelihood that life exists elsewhere. When reporters asked Trump about those comments on Thursday, he said he was unsure whether aliens exist but argued Obama had “made a big mistake” and disclosed classified information. “I may get him out of trouble by declassifying,” Trump said. > .@pdoocy: “Obama said that aliens are real. Have you seen any evidence of non-human visitors to Earth?” President Trump: “He gave classified information. He’s not supposed to be doing that.” pic.twitter.com/4zUHOdT5dS — CSPAN (@cspan) February 19, 2026 .@pdoocy: “Obama said that aliens are real. Have you seen any evidence of non-human visitors to Earth?” President Trump: “He gave classified information. He’s not supposed to be doing that.” pic.twitter.com/4zUHOdT5dS — CSPAN (@cspan) February 19, 2026 The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More