Former President Barack Obama has shared his belief in extraterrestrial life, confirming that aliens are real, but he firmly denies any association with Area 51 harboring them. In a recent podcast interview, Obama tackled the persistent theories surrounding the secretive military base in Nevada.

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Obama stated, “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them – and they’re not being kept in Area 51.” These remarks shed light on a subject that has intrigued the public for decades and adds a rare presidential perspective to the ongoing discourse.

Established during the Cold War, Area 51 has long been rumored to conceal alien technology and UFOs. The CIA only acknowledged the base's existence in 2013, but conspiracy theories continue to thrive. Obama’s comments aim to dispel these myths, suggesting that if any such secrets existed, they would not be hidden from a sitting president.

During his conversation with political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama recalled asking about aliens upon entering office, driven by scientific curiosity rather than politics. His interest underscores the enduring human fascination with the unknown.

In the same interview, Obama didn’t shy away from critiquing modern political developments, which he described as a “circus.” He compared recent national security rhetoric to historic nativist movements, stressing the need for systemic reform over reactionary responses.

Obama’s statements on alien life and Area 51 contribute significant insight into public discussions, encouraging a balance between curiosity and skepticism. He advocates for a more rational and informed approach to the topic of extraterrestrial life.

Key Takeaways

• Obama affirms belief in aliens but denies Area 51 connections.

• Area 51’s existence was confirmed by the CIA in 2013, sparking ongoing myths.

• Obama urges systemic reform in light of current political challenges.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 15 Feb 2026

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Among the many scientists who believe in ET, Professor Brian Cox has proposed that simple life is likely widespread in the universe, but intelligent life is rare because of the extensive time needed for its evolution.

He suggests that even if intelligent life exists, the vast distances and the speed of light limit interaction, resulting in a state of "cosmic quarantine" for humanity.

You can watch a video of his discussion on YouTube at https://share.google/DkVOdp2ZZIMLwSJB7

No need to open AREA 51 to see any wierdos ...i just need to open the politics page in any western newspaper...

18 minutes ago, Jim Waldron said:

but intelligent life is rare because of the extensive time needed for its evolution.

There must be planets millions of light years away with a more advanced evolution than us Humans, as they have been evolving for billions of years longer.

Well, at some point we might find some proof of alien life. No doubt the universe is chock full of intelligent civilization. Just not here on earth. Considering the vastness of the universe, I consider it sheer hubris, that so many insist we are the only intelligent species in the entire universe.

How can anyone comprehend the vastness of this universe, and say it is likely we are the only form of intelligent life within it? No. If earthlings are the best this universe has, that would be terrifying. We are an exceedingly unimpressive civilization. There are likely millions of advanced civilizations out there. It would be a most astonishing waste of space, to think otherwise! It is a near impossibility, to a truly open mind.

We are a speck of galactic dust. There are thousands of galaxies within our local Virgo supercluster, spanning 100 million light years, just in this relatively small part of the universe. Our supercluster is but one part of a larger cluster, called Laniakea, consisting of 100,000 large galaxies, spanning 400 million light years. And that is part of an infinite universe, with over 100 billion galaxies. Each galaxy has how many solar systems? How many planets and stars? And what about the possibility of a multiverse?

And many somehow use their intellects to presume it is nothing but empty space. Why? Because it cannot be proven? That is a weak argument. We are the chosen ones? That is sheer hubris, and a statistical near impossibility.

Not only are we not alone, it is likely we are one of the least evolved civilizations even within our own galaxy, much less the vastness of the universe! I am convinced that there are alot of alien civilizations out there, however they are either not aware of us, not interested in visiting, or the distances are simply too vast.

Just look around. Are we really that amazing? I should say no. Not impressive. We have not even figured out nuclear fusion yet, and world peace is a distant dream. We are just now figuring out less invasive surgery. No cures for cancer, tinnitus, and so many other diseases. Advanced? Barely. And only by very modest standards. We have no idea how truly advanced telecommunication or teleportation works, and we have barely figured out the relationship between the health of our soil, and the way we treat it. We foul our environment to no end, we use a primitive oil product to power our vehicles, and we treat our great oceans like dumping grounds, and we abuse animals and people to no end. We are arrogant yes. Truly advanced? No. And if an alien group could contact us, why would they want to get in touch with us? For an advanced alien civilization, it would be like taking a dip into the sewer. Think about our history. Khan, Attila the Hun, Queen Mary I, Ivan the Terrible, Vlad the Impaler, Qin Shi Huang, Wu Zetian, Leopold II, Lenin, Mussolini, Amin, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Castro, Pol Pot, Pinochet, Kim Jung II, Hideki Tojo, Tsar Vladimir Putin, Than Shwe, King Abdullah, Trump, Bieber, Kardashian. Come on. Really?

Why would an advanced alien race have any interest in lowly earthlings? What could we possibly teach them? Perhaps:

1. How to destroy your home (and only) planet, and how to behave as if we had multiple alternative planets to re-locate to, just in case!

2. How to hate each other.

3. How to create war.

4. How to generate electricity with spent uranium, that lasts tens of thousands of years.

5. How to create social media platforms which encourage self destruction, hatred, self loathing among the youth, envy and move culture backwards.

6. How to create reality TV, which tears at the very fabric of civilization, and appeals only to our lower nature.

1 hour ago, wil iam not said:

There must be planets millions of light years away with a more advanced evolution than us Humans, as they have been evolving for billions of years longer.

You don't have to go so far. I think Glasgow qualifies.

Most are backing hope that current destroyer of world is at least from some other galaxy

https://cdn.prod.dailykos.com/images/831174/story_image/trumpjabba.jpg?1594592620

He admitted that he is one 🤔😳😂🤣

Why would any advanced civilisation be interested in our anthill. Perhaps we're already an alien kid's ant farm.

If the President hasn't seen them, they don't exist. Though maybe some technology has been recovered. Trump weigh in yet? Planet of the Apes?

Obama has never said aliens are real.

In interviews and late‑night shows, he’s joked about UFOs and admitted that there are things in the sky the military can’t explain, but he’s always stopped short of confirming extraterrestrial life.

12 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Well, at some point we might find some proof of alien life. No doubt the universe is chock full of intelligent civilization. Just not here on earth. Considering the vastness of the universe, I consider it sheer hubris, that so many insist we are the only intelligent species in the entire universe.

How can anyone comprehend the vastness of this universe, and say it is likely we are the only form of intelligent life within it? No. If earthlings are the best this universe has, that would be terrifying. We are an exceedingly unimpressive civilization. There are likely millions of advanced civilizations out there. It would be a most astonishing waste of space, to think otherwise! It is a near impossibility, to a truly open mind.

We are a speck of galactic dust. There are thousands of galaxies within our local Virgo supercluster, spanning 100 million light years, just in this relatively small part of the universe. Our supercluster is but one part of a larger cluster, called Laniakea, consisting of 100,000 large galaxies, spanning 400 million light years. And that is part of an infinite universe, with over 100 billion galaxies. Each galaxy has how many solar systems? How many planets and stars? And what about the possibility of a multiverse?

And many somehow use their intellects to presume it is nothing but empty space. Why? Because it cannot be proven? That is a weak argument. We are the chosen ones? That is sheer hubris, and a statistical near impossibility.

Not only are we not alone, it is likely we are one of the least evolved civilizations even within our own galaxy, much less the vastness of the universe! I am convinced that there are alot of alien civilizations out there, however they are either not aware of us, not interested in visiting, or the distances are simply too vast.

Just look around. Are we really that amazing? I should say no. Not impressive. We have not even figured out nuclear fusion yet, and world peace is a distant dream. We are just now figuring out less invasive surgery. No cures for cancer, tinnitus, and so many other diseases. Advanced? Barely. And only by very modest standards. We have no idea how truly advanced telecommunication or teleportation works, and we have barely figured out the relationship between the health of our soil, and the way we treat it. We foul our environment to no end, we use a primitive oil product to power our vehicles, and we treat our great oceans like dumping grounds, and we abuse animals and people to no end. We are arrogant yes. Truly advanced? No. And if an alien group could contact us, why would they want to get in touch with us? For an advanced alien civilization, it would be like taking a dip into the sewer. Think about our history. Khan, Attila the Hun, Queen Mary I, Ivan the Terrible, Vlad the Impaler, Qin Shi Huang, Wu Zetian, Leopold II, Lenin, Mussolini, Amin, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Castro, Pol Pot, Pinochet, Kim Jung II, Hideki Tojo, Tsar Vladimir Putin, Than Shwe, King Abdullah, Trump, Bieber, Kardashian. Come on. Really?

Why would an advanced alien race have any interest in lowly earthlings? What could we possibly teach them? Perhaps:

1. How to destroy your home (and only) planet, and how to behave as if we had multiple alternative planets to re-locate to, just in case!

2. How to hate each other.

3. How to create war.

4. How to generate electricity with spent uranium, that lasts tens of thousands of years.

5. How to create social media platforms which encourage self destruction, hatred, self loathing among the youth, envy and move culture backwards.

6. How to create reality TV, which tears at the very fabric of civilization, and appeals only to our lower nature.

Thought you'd forgotten Trump for a minute but, no, there he is! The only surprise was that he wasn't first on the list!

9 hours ago, nauseus said:

Thought you'd forgotten Trump for a minute but, no, there he is! The only surprise was that he wasn't first on the list!

I had a mention Trump since he is living proof that we are one of the least advanced civilizations, just within our quadrant of our own galaxy.

I think the people in control of area 51 would view a politician, President or not, as the last person to be trusted with any known alien information/technology they may possess.

update

Obama clarifies alien remarks: No contact, not in Area 51 | AP News

clarity

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I had a mention Trump since he is living proof that we are one of the least advanced civilizations, just within our quadrant of our own galaxy.

Sounds like you don't need Trump to prove your point.

On 2/16/2026 at 9:52 AM, spidermike007 said:

Well, at some point we might find some proof of alien life. No doubt the universe is chock full of intelligent civilization. Just not here on earth. Considering the vastness of the universe, I consider it sheer hubris, that so many insist we are the only intelligent species in the entire universe.

How can anyone comprehend the vastness of this universe, and say it is likely we are the only form of intelligent life within it? No. If earthlings are the best this universe has, that would be terrifying. We are an exceedingly unimpressive civilization. There are likely millions of advanced civilizations out there. It would be a most astonishing waste of space, to think otherwise! It is a near impossibility, to a truly open mind.

We are a speck of galactic dust. There are thousands of galaxies within our local Virgo supercluster, spanning 100 million light years, just in this relatively small part of the universe. Our supercluster is but one part of a larger cluster, called Laniakea, consisting of 100,000 large galaxies, spanning 400 million light years. And that is part of an infinite universe, with over 100 billion galaxies. Each galaxy has how many solar systems? How many planets and stars? And what about the possibility of a multiverse?

And many somehow use their intellects to presume it is nothing but empty space. Why? Because it cannot be proven? That is a weak argument. We are the chosen ones? That is sheer hubris, and a statistical near impossibility.

Not only are we not alone, it is likely we are one of the least evolved civilizations even within our own galaxy, much less the vastness of the universe! I am convinced that there are alot of alien civilizations out there, however they are either not aware of us, not interested in visiting, or the distances are simply too vast.

Just look around. Are we really that amazing? I should say no. Not impressive. We have not even figured out nuclear fusion yet, and world peace is a distant dream. We are just now figuring out less invasive surgery. No cures for cancer, tinnitus, and so many other diseases. Advanced? Barely. And only by very modest standards. We have no idea how truly advanced telecommunication or teleportation works, and we have barely figured out the relationship between the health of our soil, and the way we treat it. We foul our environment to no end, we use a primitive oil product to power our vehicles, and we treat our great oceans like dumping grounds, and we abuse animals and people to no end. We are arrogant yes. Truly advanced? No. And if an alien group could contact us, why would they want to get in touch with us? For an advanced alien civilization, it would be like taking a dip into the sewer. Think about our history. Khan, Attila the Hun, Queen Mary I, Ivan the Terrible, Vlad the Impaler, Qin Shi Huang, Wu Zetian, Leopold II, Lenin, Mussolini, Amin, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Castro, Pol Pot, Pinochet, Kim Jung II, Hideki Tojo, Tsar Vladimir Putin, Than Shwe, King Abdullah, Trump, Bieber, Kardashian. Come on. Really?

Why would an advanced alien race have any interest in lowly earthlings? What could we possibly teach them? Perhaps:

1. How to destroy your home (and only) planet, and how to behave as if we had multiple alternative planets to re-locate to, just in case!

2. How to hate each other.

3. How to create war.

4. How to generate electricity with spent uranium, that lasts tens of thousands of years.

5. How to create social media platforms which encourage self destruction, hatred, self loathing among the youth, envy and move culture backwards.

6. How to create reality TV, which tears at the very fabric of civilization, and appeals only to our lower nature.

Thanks -- that lays it out pretty well. And the trope of aliens coming to rescue us from our own stupidity (and prevent us from destroying an otherwise very valuable planet) is fairly common; take the movie The Day the Earth Stood Still (the original with Michael Rennie or remake with Keanu Reeves, both great movies). Meantime, there’s this, which can be interpreted in a few different ways: