White House Dismisses Rumors of Secret Trump 'Alien Speech'

During a February 18, 2026, press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed and dismissed rumors of a prepared speech by President Donald Trump concerning extraterrestrial life. The exchange underscores a growing trend where discussions on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), the official U.S. government term for such events, have moved from fringe topics into mainstream political discourse.

Political Commentary Fuels Speculation

The question to Leavitt stemmed from recent high-profile comments on the subject. On a February 14 podcast, former President Barack Obama stated that aliens are "real, but I haven't seen them," a remark he later clarified on social media as referring to statistical probability, not direct evidence of contact. The speculation was further fueled by reports that Lara Trump, the President's daughter-in-law, had previously claimed such a speech existed. When asked about a prepared address, Leavitt responded, "A speech on aliens would be news to me," effectively quashing the immediate rumor without fully closing the door on the broader topic.

A History of Secrecy and Public Mistrust

The public's interest in potential government disclosure is rooted in a long history of official secrecy, particularly concerning military aviation and test sites. The U.S. government only officially acknowledged the existence of Area 51 in 2013 through declassified Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) documents. The facility was established in 1955 for flight testing classified aircraft like the Lockheed U-2 "Dragon Lady" high-altitude reconnaissance plane. The U-2's operations at over 70,000 feet were a primary source for many Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) reports in the mid-20th century.

This historical context of denial contributes to public skepticism. According to a 2019 Gallup poll, 68% of Americans believe the government knows more about UFOs than it is revealing. This sentiment has pressured lawmakers to seek more transparency.

Increased Government and Congressional Focus

In recent years, the U.S. government has shown a more open, if still cautious, approach to the topic. This includes the establishment of the Department of Defense's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in 2022 to standardize investigation of UAP reports. The shift in terminology from UFO to UAP is part of an effort to destigmatize the subject and encourage reporting from military personnel.

Furthermore, Congress has held multiple public hearings, including in 2024, where former intelligence officials testified about their experiences and alleged government programs. Leavitt's briefing room exchange is the latest example of how the UAP topic has become a recurring element in national politics, forcing officials to navigate between national security concerns and public demands for transparency.

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