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President Donald Trump accused former President Barack Obama of mishandling national secrets during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
The allegations follow a recent interview where Obama discussed the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Trump told reporters that Obama "gave classified information" and suggested that the former president should not share such sensitive details publicly.
When asked if he believed the information himself, Trump remained non-committal, stating he did not have an opinion on whether aliens are real but insisted Obama's disclosure was a serious error.
The controversy stems from Obama’s appearance on Brian Tyler Cohen’s podcast on February 14.
During a rapid-fire questioning segment, the host asked if aliens are real, to which Obama replied, "They’re real, but I haven't seen them."
He also dismissed conspiracy theories about secret underground facilities like Area 51. He noted that if such a place existed, officials must have hidden it from him during his presidency.
Obama later attempted to clarify his comments on Instagram, explaining that he was speaking statistically about the vastness of the universe and saw no evidence of contact during his time in office.
Despite Obama’s clarification, Trump maintained that the original comments crossed a line. "He made a big mistake.
He took it out of classified information," Trump told reporters, though he did not specify which particular secrets he meant.
In a characteristically bold move, Trump suggested he might declassify the relevant files himself to "get [Obama] out of trouble" by proving what was or wasn't restricted.
The White House has since referred all inquiries regarding the matter back to the President’s statements on Air Force One.
This public dispute occurs as public and government interest in Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) continues to grow.
Congress has held multiple hearings on the subject in recent years, featuring testimony from military personnel who claim to have encountered unexplained objects.
While the Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office recently stated it has found no "verifiable evidence" of alien technology, the rhetorical battle between the current and former presidents ensures that the topic remains at the forefront of national conversation.
