Donald Trump announced Thursday he’s directing the Pentagon to release government files on “alien and extraterrestrial life”—a move that just happens to come as his former pal Jeffrey Epstein is dominating headlines following Prince Andrew’s arrest.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that “based on the tremendous interest shown,” he would direct Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other agencies to start identifying and releasing files on UFOs, unidentified aerial phenomena, and “any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.”
The timing is certainly convenient. With Epstein’s name back in the news and questions swirling about which powerful men were in his orbit, Trump—who was photographed with Epstein multiple times and praised him as a “terrific guy” who liked women “on the younger side”—suddenly wants everyone looking at the skies.
The announcement came days after Barack Obama said in a podcast interview that aliens were “real,” though he later clarified he meant the odds are good there’s life somewhere out there. Obama added he’d seen “no evidence” of aliens during his presidency and that they’re “not being kept in Area 51.”
Trump, naturally, couldn’t resist taking a shot. Asked about Obama’s remarks, he claimed the former president had given classified information. “He’s not supposed to be doing that,” Trump said—which is rich coming from the guy who kept boxes of classified documents in his bathroom.
Hegseth responded to his boss’s directive by posting a screenshot with an alien emoji and a saluting emoji. Governance by shitpost continues.
For what it’s worth, the Pentagon said following a 2024 hearing that it received hundreds of UAP reports, with 21 meriting further analysis due to “anomalous characteristics”—but found no evidence of extraterrestrial activity.
Sen. John Fetterman called it potentially “a bipartisan thing,” while Rep. Anna Paulina Luna thanked Trump and promised “a ton of hearings.” Whether those hearings produce little green men or just another distraction from earthly scandals remains to be seen.