Norms Impact
MAGA Furiously Scrambles to Make ‘Alien Files’ the New Epstein Files
A presidential disclosure order was launched as a vague social-media post, normalizing governance by viral directive instead of documented process and accountable interagency decision-making.
Feb 20, 2026
Sources
Summary
Donald Trump publicly ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to begin identifying and releasing U.S. government files related to extraterrestrial life. The presidency was used to launch a coordinated transparency spectacle amplified by White House messaging and aligned lawmakers. The practical consequence is a new precedent for major disclosure directives being announced vaguely on social media and operationalized through political hype rather than defined process.
Reality Check
Governance by Truth Social directive trains the public to accept major national-security disclosure decisions as political content, not accountable state action—and that weakens our ability to demand lawful process and protect our rights. On these facts, a criminal case is not evident; a president can direct executive agencies, and the post describes only “begin[ning] the process,” not the release of classified material. The democratic injury is procedural: using the White House and Cabinet to amplify a hype cycle invites selective disclosure, politicized classification decisions, and institutional pressure on agencies to perform loyalty rather than follow documented review standards.
Media
Detail
<p>Donald Trump posted a 65-word message on Truth Social late Thursday stating he had ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “begin the process of identifying and releasing” government files on extraterrestrial life, alongside other government agencies.</p><p>White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reposted the message and characterized it as “OUT OF THIS WORLD NEWS.” Hegseth responded on social media with an emoji reaction. Rep. Nancy Mace said Trump was directing “full disclosure of UAP and UFO files” and referenced letters she sent in October to the Department of Defense, CIA, NSA, and the Director of National Intelligence requesting such material. Reps. Tim Burchett and Eric Burlinson thanked Trump and said the public had a right to know. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, describing herself as chairwoman of a task force investigating the topic, said she looked forward to reviewing and sharing “footage, photos, and reports” with the public.</p><p>MAGA-aligned influencers promoted the promised release as “Alien Files.” The move followed viral comments by former President Barack Obama on a podcast discussing claims about UFOs.</p>