US President Donald Trump says his predecessor improperly disclosed classified information after remarks about extraterrestrial life resurfaced and spread rapidly online.
The comments in question come from a recent podcast appearance by former president Barack Obama, who discussed the possibility of life beyond Earth while saying he encountered no evidence of alien contact during his time in office from 2009 to 2017.
Obama sought to deflate conspiracy theories surrounding Area 51, saying there is no hidden government program housing extraterrestrials and suggesting that any vast cover-up would be difficult to conceal even from a sitting president.
The remarks sparked widespread reaction on social media, prompting Obama to later clarify his position. He explains that while the sheer size of the universe makes the existence of life elsewhere statistically plausible, the immense distances involved make visits to Earth unlikely, adding that he saw no proof of such encounters while in office.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday, Trump accuses Obama of crossing a line, saying the former president disclosed information that should not have been made public. Trump does not identify which statements he considers classified but says the disclosure amounted to a serious error.
Asked about his own views, Trump says he remains uncertain about the existence of aliens, adding that he has not seen evidence confirming or disproving their presence.
Public fascination with UFOs—now officially labeled Unidentified Aerial Phenomena—has intensified in recent years amid government reviews of unexplained sightings. A 2024 assessment by the Pentagon finds no indication that such incidents involve alien technology, concluding that most can be attributed to balloons, satellites, aircraft tests, or other ordinary activity.