Former U.S. President Barack Obama has sparked widespread online discussion after joking about aliens during a podcast interview.
Speaking on the No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen on Valentine’s Day, Obama was asked whether he believes humans are alone in the universe. The conversation largely focused on Democratic strategy ahead of the 2028 election, but his response to the extraterrestrial question quickly drew attention.
“They’re real, but I haven’t seen them,” Obama said, smiling. He added that finding aliens was not among the secret discoveries he made upon entering the White House. He also joked about not having access to hidden facilities such as Area 51.
The comments were widely shared on social media, with many users praising Obama’s humor. Supporters described the exchange as light-hearted and refreshing during a tense political period.
Some UFO enthusiasts, however, expressed frustration. They said the topic was quickly moved on from and argued that Obama could have spoken in more detail about government knowledge of unidentified aerial phenomena.
Obama has previously acknowledged that the U.S. government holds footage of objects in the sky that remain unexplained. However, he has consistently avoided confirming any evidence of extraterrestrial life.
His latest remarks appear to have been made in jest, but they have renewed public debate at a time of heightened interest in unidentified aerial phenomena.