Trump Faces Backlash Over Pentagon’s UFO Files Release Amid Mounting Scandals

President Donald Trump faced unexpected backlash on social media on Friday after the Pentagon released what it described as never-before-seen UFO files—classified documentation of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) from the Apollo 11 space mission and other sources.

Despite Trump’s invitation to the public to “have fun and enjoy!” the release, many critics dismissed the disclosure as a deliberate distraction from pressing issues, including the Epstein files, ongoing conflicts in Iran, economic instability, and alleged corruption within his administration.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump framed the release as an effort for “complete and maximum transparency.” Among the documents made public were transcripts from the Apollo 11 moon landing crew’s 1969 debriefing, in which astronaut Buzz Aldrin recounted making “unusual” observations during the mission.

The release also included a transcript from the Apollo 17 lunar mission, where pilot Ronald Evans described “a few very bright particles” drifting past the spacecraft. Fellow crew member Harrison Schmitt told mission control, “It looks like the Fourth of July out of Ron’s window.” All released files are available for public viewing here.

The UAP-related documents represent the first in a series of planned disclosures that the Defense Department stated will be released on a rolling basis.

Critics Call UFO Release a Distraction Tactic

Former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene was among those who accused the administration of using the UFO files as a diversion. She referred to the release as “‘shiny object’ propaganda.”

“I really don’t care about the UFO files. I just don’t. 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,” Greene wrote on X.

In a separate post, Greene added:

“The most transparent administration in history still hasn’t released all the Epstein files or arrested anyone, but rolled out some UFO files today so you would get so excited that you forgot you are paying over $4.50/gallon because they are fighting another foreign war they said they would no longer fight.”

The criticism extended across social media, with memes circulating that suggested Trump was once again deflecting attention from his administration’s controversies.

“Motherf—ker I don’t give a f—ck about some UFOs, groceries are high, gas is high, electricity bills are high but hey UFO’s f—k outta my face with this bulls—t,” one X user commented.

Comedian and podcaster Tim Dillon also criticized the timing of the release, stating on his podcast that the Trump administration “wants people to go crazy now.”

“Regardless of whether this is true or not … They’re actually trying to terrify you and drive you insane,” he said.

Mixed Reactions to the UFO Files Release

Not all responses were negative. One social media user pointed out that filmmaker Steven Spielberg, whose upcoming movie Disclosure Day—set to open in theaters next month—would benefit from the publicity.

“Happiest person about this? Steven Spielberg. His new UFO/alien movie ‘Disclosure Day’ opens in June,” they wrote under the Department of Defense’s announcement.