ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (VINnews) -President Trump announced Thursday that he has directed the release of all government files related to “alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs),” citing tremendous public interest in the topic.

The statement comes just hours after Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, accused former President Barack Hussein Obama of disclosing classified information in recent comments suggesting aliens are real. Trump had evaded directly addressing the existence of extraterrestrials, saying he had “no opinion” and had never discussed it publicly.

“Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant officials, to release all government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs),” Trump said, according to reports circulating from official channels.

The announcement aligns with Trump’s broader push for government transparency, including his recent order to declassify remaining files on the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. UFO enthusiasts and some congressional figures have long called for similar action on UAP-related records, with hearings and whistleblower testimonies highlighting alleged government secrecy.

Pentagon and intelligence community investigations into UAPs, including through the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), have consistently found no evidence confirming extraterrestrial visitation or non-human technology. Official reports emphasize that most sightings are explainable as drones, balloons, aircraft, or natural phenomena, though a small percentage remain unresolved.

The timing follows renewed attention to the issue sparked by Obama’s podcast remarks last week, where he described aliens as statistically likely due to the universe’s scale but clarified he saw “no evidence that extraterrestrials have made contact with us” during his presidency. Trump criticized those comments as improper disclosure of classified material without providing details.

White House officials did not immediately elaborate on the scope, timeline, or any potential redactions for the UAP/UFO files release. Sources close to the administration have previously indicated Trump has access to briefings on the subject and has teased greater openness, though no definitive proof of extraterrestrial activity has emerged from prior declassifications or congressional probes.

The move has fueled speculation online and among UFO communities about potential revelations, with some suggesting it could address long-standing claims regarding facilities like Area 51. Others view it as part of Trump’s “radical transparency” agenda amid ongoing debates over classified information.

No further details on implementation were provided in the announcement, and the Pentagon has yet to comment.