Donald Trump is the 45th and 47th President of the United States. He previously served one term from 2017 to 2021 and returned to office in 2025.
In February 2026 he ordered federal agencies to begin releasing government records on UAP, UFOs, and extraterrestrial life following public comments by former President Obama.
- President of the United States, 2017–2021 and 2025–present.
- February 2026: Directed release of UAP and UFO files via the PURSUE program.
- February 2026: Stated on Air Force One that Obama had disclosed classified information on aliens.
- Multiple tranches of UAP documents released starting May 2026 under his administration.
- United StatesPresident 2017–2021 and 2025–present
- Republican PartyPresidential nominee 2016 and 2024
- The PentagonDirected UAP file releases 2026
- Office of the Director of National IntelligenceCoordinated UAP record releases
Background
Donald John Trump was born in Queens, New York, in 1946. He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1968 with a degree in economics. He joined the family real estate business and expanded it into hotels, casinos, and other properties.
Trump entered national politics with the 2016 presidential campaign. He won the Republican nomination and defeated Hillary Clinton to become the 45th President, taking office in January 2017. His first term included tax reform legislation and three Supreme Court appointments.
During his first term, Trump received briefings on UAP reports. In 2019 he told ABC News he had one short meeting on the topic and did not particularly believe the sightings were extraterrestrial. In 2020 he called Pentagon-released Navy videos 'a hell of a video' but said he wondered if they were real.
Trump lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden. He ran again in 2024, won, and was inaugurated for a second nonconsecutive term in January 2025. His administration continued prior UAP investigation efforts through the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office.
In February 2026, after former President Obama said in a podcast that aliens are real but he had not seen them, Trump accused Obama of releasing classified information. Hours later, Trump posted on social media that he would direct agencies to identify and release related government files due to strong public interest.
The first major release of declassified UAP documents occurred on May 8, 2026, under the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE). Additional tranches followed in subsequent months, including older records from the 1940s onward and some Apollo mission materials. No released files confirmed extraterrestrial visitation.
Trump has repeatedly said he does not know whether aliens exist. The releases have been presented by his administration as an effort toward maximum transparency, with documents made available on a government website without clearance requirements.
Where They Are Now
As of October 2026, Donald Trump is serving as President of the United States. His administration continues rolling releases of UAP-related government records under the PURSUE program.
Trump has stated in recent interviews that documents are being released and that he is reviewing further declassification on the topic.
Last updated 25 October 2026