President Trump said he doubts unidentified flying objects being spotted by U.S. military pilots are from outer space.
In an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Trump acknowledged increasing reports of UFOs, but said he was not particularly inclined to believe there was anything from out of this world.
“I think it’s probably — I want them to think whatever they think. They do say, and I’ve seen, and I’ve read, and I’ve heard. And I did have one very brief meeting on it. But people are saying they’re seeing UFOs. Do I believe it? Not particular,” Trump said in the interview set to air Sunday.
Trump said the military would know if extraterrestrial life was flying in Earth’s atmosphere, and if they truly believed an alien encounter did occur, he would would inform the public.
“Well, I think my great pilots would know. Our great pilots would know,” Trump said. “They see things a little bit different from the past. So we’re going to see. We’re watching, and you’ll be the first to know.”
This year following increased reports of UFOs, the Navy updated its guidelines for how pilots should report “unauthorized and/or unidentified aircraft.”
“There have been a number of reports of unauthorized and/or unidentified aircraft entering various military-controlled ranges and designated air space in recent years,” an April statement from the Navy read. “For safety and security concerns, the Navy and the [U.S. Air Force] takes these reports very seriously and investigates each and every report.”
