Did Donald Trump confirm the existence of aliens? US President's 'classified information' remark after Barrack Obama interview fuels theories

Nillohit Bagchi | Feb 20, 2026, 20:02 IST

Donald Trump sparked a fresh alien debate after accusing Barack Obama of sharing classified information while reacting to his aliens are real podcast claim aboard Air Force One. His refusal to deny the existence of extraterrestrial life has fuelled speculation that the US government may secretly possess UFO related evidence.

Image credit : X/@FearBuck | Donald Trump sparked a fresh alien debate after accusing Barack Obama of sharing classified information

A short but explosive exchange aboard Air Force One on February 19, 2026 has pushed the alien debate back into the spotlight. When US President Donald Trump was asked about former President Barack Obama’s recent podcast comments suggesting aliens are real, his response focused on something unexpected.

Instead of dismissing the idea outright, Trump accused Obama of sharing classified information. That one line has now triggered a storm online, with many wondering if Trump accidentally hinted that the US government knows more about extraterrestrial life than it admits publicly.

What did Barack Obama actually say about aliens?

The moment began after Barack Obama appeared on a podcast hosted by political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen. During the conversation, Obama casually said that aliens are real. He quickly clarified that he personally had not seen any extraterrestrial beings and also pushed back against rumours about secret facilities like Area 51 hiding alien bodies.

Donald Trump does not deny the existence of aliens

Reporter: Barack Obama said that aliens are real

Trump: well he gave classified information

Reporter: so aliens are real well

Trump: I can tell you he gave classified information

Trump: he's not supposed to be… pic.twitter.com/JGQjJZZZxZ

— Medvid (@Medvidio) February 20, 2026

Still, the statement was enough to spark global curiosity. Clips from the podcast spread across social media within hours. The idea that a former president was openly talking about aliens immediately caught public attention.

Donald Trump’s response on Air Force One raises eyebrows

When reporters later asked Donald Trump about Obama’s remarks during a media gaggle aboard Air Force One, the president gave a response that many did not expect. Trump said that Obama had shared classified information and should not have done that. When journalists pressed him further and asked directly if aliens are real, Trump replied that he does not know if they are real or not. However, he again stressed that Obama had revealed something that was meant to remain classified.

Aliens have a chance to do the funniest thing by exposing themselves on television specifically to say “Donald Trump is in the Epstein files” https://t.co/bf2LZVq2B0

— (redacted) (@redactedmertz) February 20, 2026

He later added that Obama made a mistake by taking the matter out of classified information. That specific focus on classification quickly became the centre of the debate. Instead of simply calling the alien claim false, Trump suggested the issue involved government secrecy.

The internet wasted no time in reacting. Many users on X believed Trump’s wording hinted at deeper knowledge. One user on X said, "Trump knows something big." Another wrote, "Trump just confirmed aliens are real in Trumpian fashion." A third user questioned the entire situation, saying, "Hard to predict Trump behavior."

Even online prediction markets picked up the trend. Discussions around whether the United States might officially confirm alien existence before 2027 began to rise again, with betting odds shifting as the clip circulated.

Netizens point out political irony

Critics were quick to highlight the political angle as well. Some commentators noted that Trump accusing someone else of mishandling classified information felt ironic given his own past controversies related to sensitive documents.

Donald Trump gets asked about Barack Obama saying ‘aliens are real’👽

“Well he gave classified information, he’s not supposed to be doing that. I don’t know if they’re real or not…he made a big mistake.” pic.twitter.com/agezgLEnx2

— 𝕿🅾️🅿️𝖘𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖋 🔌 (@TopshelfPlug) February 19, 2026

Others argued that Trump’s comments were more about taking a swipe at Obama than revealing anything about extraterrestrial life. Still, the damage or excitement depending on how one sees it was already done. The conversation had moved beyond politics and into conspiracy territory.

Hours after the exchange, Trump posted on Truth Social saying he would direct agencies like the Department of Defense to begin releasing files related to UFOs and aliens due to public interest. He even joked that he might declassify the information to get Obama out of trouble. This is not the first time Trump has talked about declassifying UFO material. Ongoing congressional hearings into unidentified aerial phenomena have already kept the topic alive in Washington.

Slip up or calculated move?

As soon as the Epstein files release and our ships sail off to blow up Iran:

• Elon Musk finds Jesus

• Donald Trump finds aliens

Perhaps they were right about goyim being retarded.

— SNEAKO (@sneako) February 20, 2026

Donald Trump never clearly confirmed the existence of aliens. Yet his emphasis on classified information rather than denying Obama’s claim has fuelled theories that the US government may be hiding proof of extraterrestrial life.

One user on X summed up the mood by writing, "I feel like Trump’s reaction is proof." Whether this was an accidental slip or a deliberate political jab remains unclear. For now, the debate continues and public curiosity shows no signs of slowing down.

GENERAL

Nillohit Bagchi