Trump touts declassified UFO files as MTG questions Epstein disclosures, gas prices

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, May 8, promoted the Pentagon’s release of declassified UFO-related files, describing the move as part of his administration’s broader transparency effort, while Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly criticized the timing and priorities surrounding the disclosure. 

The Pentagon published the first tranche of files related to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), a term used by the government for UFOs, after Trump directed the Department of Defense earlier this year to review and declassify such records.

The release also drew a response from Greene, who questioned why other government records and domestic issues remained unresolved as the administration moved forward with the UFO disclosures.

Trump highlights UFO release 

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the release fulfilled a pledge to make government-held records on unexplained aerial phenomena available to the public.

“As for my promise to you, the Department of War has released the first tranche of the UFO/UAP files to the Public for their review and study,” Trump wrote. 

“In an effort for Complete and Maximum Transparency, it was my Honor to direct my Administration to identify and provide Government files related to Alien and Extraterrestrial Life, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, and Unidentified Flying Objects,” he added.

Trump also contrasted the release with prior administrations, saying, “Whereas previous Administrations have failed to be transparent on this subject, with these new Documents and Videos, the people can decide for themselves, ‘WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?’”

The Pentagon said the archive includes declassified videos, photographs and original source documents spanning decades of UAP investigations.

Officials said additional material would be released “on a rolling basis” as more files are reviewed and cleared for publication.

“The American people can now access the federal government’s declassified UAP files instantly,” the department said in a statement, adding that the archive centralizes records from across federal agencies.

Greene questions UFO disclosure focus

Greene, one of Trump’s most vocal congressional allies, responded critically to the release, arguing that the administration should focus on other issues instead. 

“The most transparent administration in history still hasn’t released all the Epstein files or arrested anyone, but rolled out some UFO files today,” Greene wrote on X.

She also linked her criticism to broader economic and foreign policy concerns, adding, “I really don’t care about the UFO files. I just don’t.”

Greene said she was frustrated by what she described as shifting public attention away from domestic priorities, writing, “I’m so sick of the ‘look at the shiny object’ propaganda while they wage foreign wars, let rapist and pedophiles run free, and ruin the value of our dollar.”

The Pentagon’s initial release includes historical records from Apollo-era missions, including reports from Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean, who described seeing “flashes of light” during the 1969 mission, and Apollo 17 astronauts, who observed “very bright” particles in 1972.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman welcomed the disclosures, saying the agency would continue to approach unexplained phenomena through scientific analysis and transparency. 

The Defense Department said further tranches of UAP-related files are expected to be published in the coming weeks as the review process continues.