The release of the UFO files won’t satisfy conspiracy theorists – but it certainly serves Trump’s agenda | Daniel Lavelle
The Trump administration recently released UFO files, which many believe will not satisfy conspiracy theorists. The move appears to serve Trump's agenda by positioning him as an outsider exposing the deep state. However, the released files contain mostly unsubstantiated claims and images that do not provide concrete evidence of alien life.
- ▪The US Department of Defense released UFO files at the direction of President Trump.
- ▪Nearly half of Americans believe in the existence of aliens and that the government is hiding evidence.
- ▪The released files have been criticized for lacking substantial evidence and containing mostly unverified encounters.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — US |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/16/ufo-files-donald-trump-us-conspiracy-theorists-aliens |
| Publication time | Sat, 16 May 2026 07:00:03 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-16T07:10:17.660Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-16T07:10:17.660Z |
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Some of the files on UFOs released by the Trump administration on 8 May 2026. Photograph: Jon Elswick/APView image in fullscreenSome of the files on UFOs released by the Trump administration on 8 May 2026. Photograph: Jon Elswick/APOpinionUFOsThe release of the UFO files won’t satisfy conspiracy theorists – but it certainly serves Trump’s agendaDaniel LavelleIf there’s no proof of aliens, the president can blame the deep state. If there’s proof, he’s a hero. Either way, it helps his popularitySat 16 May 2026 03.00 EDTShareThe US Department of Defense released the first batch of its UFO files last week at the direction of the president, Donald Trump, who promised to make them public “based on the tremendous interest shown”.Trump’s right, of course.
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