🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 51 (from laksa097)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa051.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/16/politics/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/16/politics/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/02\/16\/politics\/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl","crawl_time":1775748838,"first_indexed_time":1771263402,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,cnn!www,\/2026\/02\/16\/politics\/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl s443","src_root_hash":"2312100192101524051","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Obama clarifies alien comments after telling podcast ‘they’re real’ | CNN Politics","meta_descriptions":["Former US President Barack Obama said he’s seen no evidence that aliens have made contact with Earth, clarifying his position on extraterrestrials after comments he made in a podcast went viral."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Former US President\nBarack Obama\nsaid he’s seen no evidence that\naliens\nhave made contact with Earth, clarifying his position on extraterrestrials after comments he made in a podcast went viral.\nObama\nfound himself in the spotlight over the weekend after he appeared to confirm the existence of aliens in an\ninterview\nhe did with US podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen.\nTowards the end of the interview, which dealt with a range of heavyweight issues such as the killing of protesters at the hands of immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota, Cohen posed a series of questions in a “lightning round,” starting with: “Are aliens real?”\nAd Feedback\n“They’re real but I haven’t seen them,” replied Obama. “And they’re not being kept in… what is it? Area 51. There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.”\nThe second question in that round was “what was the first question that you wanted answered when you became president?,” to which Obama replied, laughing: “Where are the aliens?” The interviewer did not delve into the response, instead going straight onto the next question.\nObama’s answer was picked up by international media, as well as people on social media. On Sunday evening, Obama issued a statement to clarify his position.\nHe posted the clip of his original comments on\nInstagram\n, accompanied by a short statement, saying: “I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there.\n“But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!”\nIt’s not the first time that Obama has spoken out on the issue. In an\nappearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”\nHe said: “What is true, and I’m actually being serious here, is that there are, there’s footage and records of objects in the skies, that we don’t know exactly what they are.\n“We can’t explain how they moved, their trajectory. They did not have an easily explainable pattern. And so, you know, I think that people still take seriously trying to investigate and figure out what that is.”\nConspiracy theories involving extraterrestrial life have long abounded about Area 51, a highly classified United States Air Force facility located at Groom Lake in southern Nevada.\nOne popular UFO conspiracy is that in 1947 in Roswell, New Mexico, remains from a flying saucer that supposedly crashed were taken\nto Area 51 for reverse engineering experiments in order to replicate the extraterrestrial spacecraft.\nIn June 2019, a poll conducted by YouGov found that 54% of US adults think it is likely the government knows more than it’s telling about UFOs.\nCNN’s Chris Cillizza contributed to this report.","attrs_markdown":"Ad Feedback\n\nThank You\\!\n\nYour effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.\n\nClose\n\n[Politics](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics)\n\n[Elections 2026](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/election\/2026)\n\n[Trump](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/president-donald-trump-47)\n\n[Facts First](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/fact-check)\n\n[CNN Polls](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/polling)\n\n[Redistricting Tracker](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/state-redistricting-maps-vis\/index.html)\n\n[Epstein Files](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/epstein-files)\n\n[More]()\n\n[Elections 2026](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/election\/2026)   [Trump](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/president-donald-trump-47)   [Facts First](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/fact-check)   [CNN Polls](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/polling)   [Redistricting Tracker](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/state-redistricting-maps-vis\/index.html)   [Epstein Files](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/epstein-files)\n\n[Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/subscription\/all-access)   [Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)\n\nSubscribe\n\nSign in\n\nMy Account\n\n- [Settings](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/settings)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n- [Topics you follow](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow?iid=fw_var-nav)\n- [Sign out](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/02\/16\/politics\/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl)\n\nYour CNN account Sign in to your CNN account\n\nSign in\n\nMy Account\n\n- [Settings](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/settings)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n- [Topics you follow](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow?iid=fw_var-nav)\n- [Sign out](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/02\/16\/politics\/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl)\n\nYour CNN account Sign in to your CNN account\n***\n[Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)   [Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/subscription\/all-access)\n***\nEdition\n\n[US](https:\/\/us.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\n[International](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\n[Arabic](https:\/\/arabic.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\n[Español](https:\/\/cnnespanol.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n\nEdition\n\n- [US](https:\/\/us.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n- [International](https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n- [Arabic](https:\/\/arabic.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n- [Español](https:\/\/cnnespanol.cnn.com\/?hpt=header_edition-picker)\n***\n[Elections 2026](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/election\/2026)\n\n[Trump](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/president-donald-trump-47)\n\n[Facts First](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/fact-check)\n\n[CNN Polls](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/polling)\n\n[Redistricting Tracker](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/state-redistricting-maps-vis\/index.html)\n\n[Epstein Files](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/epstein-files)\n***\nFollow CNN Politics\n\nDownload the CNN App\n***\n\n- [US](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us)\n  - [Crime & Justice](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/crime-and-justice)\n  - [Immigration](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/immigration)\n  - [Education](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/education)\n  - [Transportation](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/transportation)\n  - [Race & Identity](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/race-and-identity)\n- [World](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world)\n  - [Africa](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/africa)\n  - [Americas](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/americas)\n  - [Asia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/asia)\n  - [Australia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/australia)\n  - [China](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/china)\n  - [Europe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/europe)\n  - [India](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/india)\n  - [Middle East](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/middle-east)\n  - [United Kingdom](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/united-kingdom)\n- [Politics](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics)\n  - [Elections 2026](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/election\/2026)\n  - [Trump](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/president-donald-trump-47)\n  - [Facts First](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/fact-check)\n  - [CNN Polls](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/polling)\n  - [Redistricting Tracker](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/state-redistricting-maps-vis\/index.html)\n  - [Epstein Files](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/epstein-files)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business)\n  - [Tech](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/tech)\n  - [Media](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/media)\n  - [Calculators](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/financial-calculators)\n  - [Videos](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/videos)\n- [Markets](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/markets)\n  - [Pre-markets](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/markets\/premarkets)\n  - [After-Hours](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/markets\/after-hours)\n  - [Fear & Greed](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/markets\/fear-and-greed)\n  - [Investing](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/investing)\n  - [Markets Now](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/markets-now)\n  - [Nightcap](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/markets\/nightcap)\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health)\n  - [Life, But Better](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/interactive\/life-but-better\/)\n  - [Fitness](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health\/life-but-better\/fitness)\n  - [Food](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health\/life-but-better\/food)\n  - [Sleep](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health\/life-but-better\/sleep)\n  - [Mindfulness](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health\/life-but-better\/mindfulness)\n  - [Relationships](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health\/life-but-better\/relationships)\n- [CNN Underscored](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored)\n  - [Electronics](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/electronics)\n  - [Fashion](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/fashion)\n  - [Beauty](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/beauty)\n  - [Health & Fitness](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/health-fitness)\n  - [Home](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/home)\n  - [Reviews](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/reviews)\n  - [Deals](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/deals)\n  - [Gifts](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/gifts)\n  - [Travel](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/travel)\n  - [Outdoors](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/outdoors)\n  - [Pets](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/pets)\n- [Entertainment](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/entertainment)\n  - [Movies](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/entertainment\/movies)\n  - [Television](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/entertainment\/tv-shows)\n  - [Celebrity](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/entertainment\/celebrities)\n- [Tech](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/tech)\n  - [Innovate](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/tech\/innovate)\n- [Style](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style)\n  - [Arts](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/arts)\n  - [Design](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/design)\n  - [Fashion](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/fashion)\n  - [Architecture](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/architecture)\n  - [Luxury](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/luxury)\n  - [Beauty](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/beauty)\n  - [Video](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/videos)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel)\n  - [Destinations](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/destinations)\n  - [Food & Drink](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/food-and-drink)\n  - [Stay](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/stay)\n  - [Videos](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/videos)\n- [Sports](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sports)\n  - [NFL](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/nfl)\n  - [NBA](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/nba)\n  - [MLB](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/mlb)\n  - [WNBA](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/wnba)\n  - [Golf](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/golf)\n  - [Soccer](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/soccer)\n  - [Tennis](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/tennis)\n  - [Motorsport](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/motorsport)\n  - [College Sports](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/college-sports)\n  - [Olympics](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-2026)\n  - [Bleacher Report](https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/)\n- [Science](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/science)\n  - [Space](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/science\/space)\n  - [Life](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/science\/life)\n  - [Unearthed](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/science\/unearthed)\n- [Climate](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/climate)\n  - [Solutions](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/climate\/solutions)\n  - [Weather](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/weather)\n- [Weather](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/weather)\n  - [Video](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/weather\/video)\n  - [Climate](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/climate)\n- [Ukraine-Russia War](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/europe\/ukraine)\n- [Israel-Hamas War](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/middleeast\/israel)\n- [Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch)\n  - [Featured](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch)\n  - [Shows & Films](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch#shows-films)\n  - [Network TV](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/videos\/live)\n  - [Clips](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/videos)\n  - [CNN Headlines](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/videos\/fast\/cnn-headlines)\n  - [Shows A-Z](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/tv\/all-shows)\n  - [CNN 10](https:\/\/www.cnn10.com\/)\n  - [CNN TV Schedule](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/tv\/schedule\/cnn)\n- [Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)\n  - [All There Is with Anderson Cooper](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio\/podcasts\/all-there-is-with-anderson-cooper)\n  - [Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio\/podcasts\/chasing-life)\n  - [The Assignment with Audie Cornish](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio\/podcasts\/the-assignment)\n  - [Terms of Service with Clare Duffy](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio\/podcasts\/terms-of-service-with-clare-duffy)\n  - [CNN 5 Things](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio\/podcasts\/5-things)\n  - [All CNN Podcasts](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)\n- [Games](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games)\n  - [Daily Crossword](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games\/play\/cnn-crossword)\n  - [Jumble Crossword](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games\/play\/jumble-crossword-daily)\n  - [Photo Shuffle](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games\/play\/photo-shuffle)\n  - [Sudoblock](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games\/play\/sudoblock)\n  - [Sudoku](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games\/play\/daily-sudoku)\n  - [5 Things Quiz](https:\/\/cnn.it\/5thingsquiz)\n- [About CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/about)\n  - [Subscribe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/subscription?source=sub_web_footersubnav-link)\n  - [Photos](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/photos)\n  - [Investigations](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/cnn-investigates)\n  - [CNN Profiles](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles)\n  - [CNN Leadership](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles\/cnn-leadership)\n  - [CNN Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n  - [Work for CNN](https:\/\/careers.wbd.com\/cnnjobs)\n***\nDownload the CNN App\n\nWatch live\n\n[NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte delivers remarks](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/live-video-1)\n\n[Politics](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics)  3 min read\n\n# Obama clarifies alien comments after telling podcast ‘they’re real’\nBy\n\nLianne Kolirin\n\nUpdated Feb 16, 2026, 12:21 PM ET\n\nPublished Feb 16, 2026, 6:44 AM ET\n\nUpdated Feb 16, 2026\n\nUpdated\n\nFeb 16, 2026, 12:21 PM ET\n\nPUBLISHED\n\nFeb 16, 2026, 6:44 AM ET\n\n**Unable to load video**\n\nPlease try again later.\n\nError occurred while fetching labs\n\nSubtitles\n\n- Off\n\nVideo Ad Feedback\n\nObama said aliens exist on a podcast then posted to clarify\n\n0:51   • Source: [CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/)\n\n![Former US President Barack Obama campaigns in support of Democratic Presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 3, 2024.](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg)\n\nObama said aliens exist on a podcast then posted to clarify\n\n0:51\n\nDeep space\n\nMedia\n\nFederal agencies\n\nUS military\n\n[See all topics](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow)\n\nFacebook\n\nTweet\n\n[Email](mailto:?subject=CNN%20content%20share&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%3A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Fpolitics%2Fobama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl \"Share with email\")\n\nLink\n\nThreads\n\nLink Copied\\!\n\nFormer US President[Barack Obama](https:\/\/cnn.com\/2026\/02\/14\/politics\/obama-minnesota-ice-operation-dictatorships) said he’s seen no evidence that [aliens](https:\/\/cnn.com\/2025\/12\/28\/us\/fighter-jets-ufos-1952-dc) have made contact with Earth, clarifying his position on extraterrestrials after comments he made in a podcast went viral.\n\nObamafound himself in the spotlight over the weekend after he appeared to confirm the existence of aliens in an [interview](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uI-hgSE5QIw) he did with US podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen.\n\nTowards the end of the interview, which dealt with a range of heavyweight issues such as the killing of protesters at the hands of immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota, Cohen posed a series of questions in a “lightning round,” starting with: “Are aliens real?”\n\nAd Feedback\n\n“They’re real but I haven’t seen them,” replied Obama. “And they’re not being kept in… what is it? Area 51. There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.”\n\nThe second question in that round was “what was the first question that you wanted answered when you became president?,” to which Obama replied, laughing: “Where are the aliens?” The interviewer did not delve into the response, instead going straight onto the next question.\n\nObama’s answer was picked up by international media, as well as people on social media. On Sunday evening, Obama issued a statement to clarify his position.\n\nHe posted the clip of his original comments on [Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reels\/DUy9E_UD9RR\/), accompanied by a short statement, saying: “I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there.\n\n“But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!”\n\nIt’s not the first time that Obama has spoken out on the issue. In an [appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”](https:\/\/cnn.com\/videos\/media\/2021\/05\/19\/barack-obama-talks-ufos-late-late-show-int-orig-bdk.cnn) He said: “What is true, and I’m actually being serious here, is that there are, there’s footage and records of objects in the skies, that we don’t know exactly what they are.\n\n“We can’t explain how they moved, their trajectory. They did not have an easily explainable pattern. And so, you know, I think that people still take seriously trying to investigate and figure out what that is.”\n\n[Related vertical video ![117130\\_ObamaICE\\_cleanthumb.jpg](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Brian Tyler Cohen Obama compares ICE’s ‘rogue behavior’ in Minnesota to dictatorships](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/02\/15\/us\/video\/ice-barack-obama-rogue-behavior-minnesota-minneapolis-hnk-vrtc-digvid)\n\nConspiracy theories involving extraterrestrial life have long abounded about Area 51, a highly classified United States Air Force facility located at Groom Lake in southern Nevada.\n\nOne popular UFO conspiracy is that in 1947 in Roswell, New Mexico, remains from a flying saucer that supposedly crashed were takento Area 51 for reverse engineering experiments in order to replicate the extraterrestrial spacecraft.\n\nIn June 2019, a poll conducted by YouGov found that 54% of US adults think it is likely the government knows more than it’s telling about UFOs.\n\n*CNN’s Chris Cillizza contributed to this report.*\n\nDeep space\n\nMedia\n\nFederal agencies\n\nUS military\n\n[See all topics](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow)\n\nFacebook\n\nTweet\n\n[Email](mailto:?subject=CNN%20content%20share&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%3A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Fpolitics%2Fobama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl \"Share with email\")\n\nLink\n\nThreads\n\nLink Copied\\!\n\nAd Feedback\n\nSubscribe\n\nSign in\n\nMy Account\n\n- [Settings](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/settings)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n- [Topics you follow](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow?iid=fw_var-nav)\n- [Sign out](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/02\/16\/politics\/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl)\n\nYour CNN account Sign in to your CNN account\n***\n[Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)   [Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch)\n***\n- [US](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us)\n  - [Crime & Justice](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/crime-and-justice)\n  - [Immigration](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/immigration)\n  - [Education](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/education)\n  - [Transportation](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/transportation)\n  - [Race & Identity](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/race-and-identity)\n- [World](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world)\n  - [Africa](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/africa)\n  - [Americas](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/americas)\n  - [Asia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/asia)\n  - [Australia](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/australia)\n  - [China](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/china)\n  - [Europe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/europe)\n  - [India](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/india)\n  - [Middle East](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/middle-east)\n  - [United Kingdom](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/united-kingdom)\n- [Politics](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics)\n  - [Elections 2026](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/election\/2026)\n  - [Trump](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/president-donald-trump-47)\n  - [Facts First](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/fact-check)\n  - [CNN Polls](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/polling)\n  - [Redistricting Tracker](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/state-redistricting-maps-vis\/index.html)\n  - [Epstein Files](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/epstein-files)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business)\n  - [Tech](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/tech)\n  - [Media](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/media)\n  - [Calculators](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/financial-calculators)\n  - [Videos](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/videos)\n- [Markets](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/markets)\n  - [Pre-markets](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/markets\/premarkets)\n  - [After-Hours](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/markets\/after-hours)\n  - [Fear & Greed](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/markets\/fear-and-greed)\n  - [Investing](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/investing)\n  - [Markets Now](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/markets-now)\n  - [Nightcap](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/markets\/nightcap)\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health)\n  - [Life, But Better](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/interactive\/life-but-better\/)\n  - [Fitness](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health\/life-but-better\/fitness)\n  - [Food](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health\/life-but-better\/food)\n  - [Sleep](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health\/life-but-better\/sleep)\n  - [Mindfulness](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health\/life-but-better\/mindfulness)\n  - [Relationships](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/health\/life-but-better\/relationships)\n- [CNN Underscored](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored)\n  - [Electronics](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/electronics)\n  - [Fashion](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/fashion)\n  - [Beauty](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/beauty)\n  - [Health & Fitness](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/health-fitness)\n  - [Home](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/home)\n  - [Reviews](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/reviews)\n  - [Deals](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/deals)\n  - [Gifts](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/gifts)\n  - [Travel](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/travel)\n  - [Outdoors](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/outdoors)\n  - [Pets](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/cnn-underscored\/pets)\n- [Entertainment](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/entertainment)\n  - [Movies](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/entertainment\/movies)\n  - [Television](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/entertainment\/tv-shows)\n  - [Celebrity](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/entertainment\/celebrities)\n- [Tech](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/tech)\n  - [Innovate](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/business\/tech\/innovate)\n- [Style](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style)\n  - [Arts](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/arts)\n  - [Design](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/design)\n  - [Fashion](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/fashion)\n  - [Architecture](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/architecture)\n  - [Luxury](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/luxury)\n  - [Beauty](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/beauty)\n  - [Video](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/videos)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel)\n  - [Destinations](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/destinations)\n  - [Food & Drink](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/food-and-drink)\n  - [Stay](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/stay)\n  - [News](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/news)\n  - [Videos](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/travel\/videos)\n- [Sports](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sports)\n  - [NFL](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/nfl)\n  - [NBA](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/nba)\n  - [MLB](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/mlb)\n  - [WNBA](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/wnba)\n  - [Golf](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/golf)\n  - [Soccer](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/soccer)\n  - [Tennis](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/tennis)\n  - [Motorsport](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/motorsport)\n  - [College Sports](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/college-sports)\n  - [Olympics](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-2026)\n  - [Bleacher Report](https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/)\n- [Science](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/science)\n  - [Space](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/science\/space)\n  - [Life](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/science\/life)\n  - [Unearthed](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/science\/unearthed)\n- [Climate](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/climate)\n  - [Solutions](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/climate\/solutions)\n  - [Weather](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/weather)\n- [Weather](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/weather)\n  - [Video](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/weather\/video)\n  - [Climate](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/climate)\n- [Ukraine-Russia War](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/europe\/ukraine)\n- [Israel-Hamas War](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/middleeast\/israel)\n- [Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch)\n  - [Featured](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch)\n  - [Shows & Films](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch#shows-films)\n  - [Network TV](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/videos\/live)\n  - [Clips](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/videos)\n  - [CNN Headlines](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/videos\/fast\/cnn-headlines)\n  - [Shows A-Z](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/tv\/all-shows)\n  - [CNN 10](https:\/\/www.cnn10.com\/)\n  - [CNN TV Schedule](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/tv\/schedule\/cnn)\n- [Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)\n  - [All There Is with Anderson Cooper](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio\/podcasts\/all-there-is-with-anderson-cooper)\n  - [Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio\/podcasts\/chasing-life)\n  - [The Assignment with Audie Cornish](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio\/podcasts\/the-assignment)\n  - [Terms of Service with Clare Duffy](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio\/podcasts\/terms-of-service-with-clare-duffy)\n  - [CNN 5 Things](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio\/podcasts\/5-things)\n  - [All CNN Podcasts](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)\n- [Games](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games)\n  - [Daily Crossword](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games\/play\/cnn-crossword)\n  - [Jumble Crossword](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games\/play\/jumble-crossword-daily)\n  - [Photo Shuffle](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games\/play\/photo-shuffle)\n  - [Sudoblock](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games\/play\/sudoblock)\n  - [Sudoku](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/games\/play\/daily-sudoku)\n  - [5 Things Quiz](https:\/\/cnn.it\/5thingsquiz)\n- [About CNN](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/about)\n  - [Subscribe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/subscription?source=sub_web_footersubnav-link)\n  - [Photos](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/photos)\n  - [Investigations](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/us\/cnn-investigates)\n  - [CNN Profiles](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles)\n  - [CNN Leadership](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/profiles\/cnn-leadership)\n  - [CNN Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n  - [Work for CNN](https:\/\/careers.wbd.com\/cnnjobs)\n***\n[Politics](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics)\n\n[Watch](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/watch)   [Listen](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/audio)\n***\nSubscribe\n\nSign in\n\nMy Account\n\n- [Settings](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/settings)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)\n- [Topics you follow](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/follow?iid=fw_var-nav)\n- [Sign out](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/02\/16\/politics\/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl)\n\nYour CNN account Sign in to your CNN account\n\nFollow CNN Politics\n***\nDownload the CNN app\n\nDownload the CNN app\n***\n[Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/terms)   [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/privacy)  [Manage Cookies](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/02\/16\/politics\/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl)  [Ad Choices](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/ad-choices)   [Accessibility & CC](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/accessibility)   [About](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/about)   [Subscribe](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/subscription?source=sub_web_footerlink-link)   [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters)   [Transcripts](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/transcripts)   [Help Center](https:\/\/help.cnn.com\/)\n\n© 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.   \n CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.\n\n## Download the CNN app\nScan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.\n\n![Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/google-play-cnn-app-qr-code.png)\n\n## Download the CNN app\nScan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.\n\n![Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/app-store-cnn-app-qr-code.png)\n\n![CNN Logo](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/media\/sites\/cnn\/cnn.svg)\n\n## Legal Terms and Privacy\nBy clicking Agree, you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and agree to the collection and use of your information by cookies and similar technologies, as set forth in our Privacy Policy.\n\nBy clicking \"Agree\", you have read and agree to the [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/terms) and agree to the collection and use of your information by cookies and similar technologies, as set forth in our [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/privacy).\n\n[Agree](https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/02\/16\/politics\/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl)","attrs_readable_markdown":"Former US President[Barack Obama](https:\/\/cnn.com\/2026\/02\/14\/politics\/obama-minnesota-ice-operation-dictatorships) said he’s seen no evidence that [aliens](https:\/\/cnn.com\/2025\/12\/28\/us\/fighter-jets-ufos-1952-dc) have made contact with Earth, clarifying his position on extraterrestrials after comments he made in a podcast went viral.\n\nObamafound himself in the spotlight over the weekend after he appeared to confirm the existence of aliens in an [interview](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uI-hgSE5QIw) he did with US podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen.\n\nTowards the end of the interview, which dealt with a range of heavyweight issues such as the killing of protesters at the hands of immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota, Cohen posed a series of questions in a “lightning round,” starting with: “Are aliens real?”\n\nAd Feedback\n\n“They’re real but I haven’t seen them,” replied Obama. “And they’re not being kept in… what is it? Area 51. There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.”\n\nThe second question in that round was “what was the first question that you wanted answered when you became president?,” to which Obama replied, laughing: “Where are the aliens?” The interviewer did not delve into the response, instead going straight onto the next question.\n\nObama’s answer was picked up by international media, as well as people on social media. On Sunday evening, Obama issued a statement to clarify his position.\n\nHe posted the clip of his original comments on [Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reels\/DUy9E_UD9RR\/), accompanied by a short statement, saying: “I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there.\n\n“But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!”\n\nIt’s not the first time that Obama has spoken out on the issue. In an [appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”](https:\/\/cnn.com\/videos\/media\/2021\/05\/19\/barack-obama-talks-ufos-late-late-show-int-orig-bdk.cnn) He said: “What is true, and I’m actually being serious here, is that there are, there’s footage and records of objects in the skies, that we don’t know exactly what they are.\n\n“We can’t explain how they moved, their trajectory. They did not have an easily explainable pattern. And so, you know, I think that people still take seriously trying to investigate and figure out what that is.”\n\nConspiracy theories involving extraterrestrial life have long abounded about Area 51, a highly classified United States Air Force facility located at Groom Lake in southern Nevada.\n\nOne popular UFO conspiracy is that in 1947 in Roswell, New Mexico, remains from a flying saucer that supposedly crashed were takento Area 51 for reverse engineering experiments in order to replicate the extraterrestrial spacecraft.\n\nIn June 2019, a poll conducted by YouGov found that 54% of US adults think it is likely the government knows more than it’s telling about UFOs.\n\n*CNN’s Chris Cillizza contributed to this report.*","meta_canonical":null,"ml_categories_json":"{\"\/News\":821,\"\/News\/Politics\":753,\"\/News\/Politics\/Campaigns_and_Elections\":473,\"\/People_and_Society\":192,\"\/Science\":166,\"\/Science\/Astronomy\":160,\"\/Law_and_Government\":127}","ml_types_json":"{\"\/Article\":985,\"\/Article\/News_Update\":981}","ml_intent_types_json":"{\"Informational\":997}","meta_language":"en","attrs_author":"Lianne Kolirin","attrs_publish_time":1771242250,"attrs_original_publish_time":1771242250,"attrs_is_republished":0,"attrs_nr_words":"1454","attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words":"492","body_ext_links_number":14,"body_int_links_number":252,"meta_nofollow":0,"meta_noarchive":0,"props_was_rendered":1,"src_redirect":"","download_time_msec":950,"download_ttfb_msec":636,"download_size":523298}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

12 days ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.4 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property

Value

URL

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/16/politics/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl

Last Crawled

2026-04-09 15:33:58 (12 days ago)

First Indexed

2026-02-16 17:36:42 (2 months ago)

HTTP Status Code

200

Content

Meta Title

Obama clarifies alien comments after telling podcast ‘they’re real’ | CNN Politics

Meta Description

Former US President Barack Obama said he’s seen no evidence that aliens have made contact with Earth, clarifying his position on extraterrestrials after comments he made in a podcast went viral.

Meta Canonical

null

Boilerpipe Text

Former US President Barack Obama said he’s seen no evidence that aliens have made contact with Earth, clarifying his position on extraterrestrials after comments he made in a podcast went viral. Obama found himself in the spotlight over the weekend after he appeared to confirm the existence of aliens in an interview he did with US podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen. Towards the end of the interview, which dealt with a range of heavyweight issues such as the killing of protesters at the hands of immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota, Cohen posed a series of questions in a “lightning round,” starting with: “Are aliens real?” Ad Feedback “They’re real but I haven’t seen them,” replied Obama. “And they’re not being kept in… what is it? Area 51. There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.” The second question in that round was “what was the first question that you wanted answered when you became president?,” to which Obama replied, laughing: “Where are the aliens?” The interviewer did not delve into the response, instead going straight onto the next question. Obama’s answer was picked up by international media, as well as people on social media. On Sunday evening, Obama issued a statement to clarify his position. He posted the clip of his original comments on Instagram , accompanied by a short statement, saying: “I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there. “But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!” It’s not the first time that Obama has spoken out on the issue. In an appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” He said: “What is true, and I’m actually being serious here, is that there are, there’s footage and records of objects in the skies, that we don’t know exactly what they are. “We can’t explain how they moved, their trajectory. They did not have an easily explainable pattern. And so, you know, I think that people still take seriously trying to investigate and figure out what that is.” Conspiracy theories involving extraterrestrial life have long abounded about Area 51, a highly classified United States Air Force facility located at Groom Lake in southern Nevada. One popular UFO conspiracy is that in 1947 in Roswell, New Mexico, remains from a flying saucer that supposedly crashed were taken to Area 51 for reverse engineering experiments in order to replicate the extraterrestrial spacecraft. In June 2019, a poll conducted by YouGov found that 54% of US adults think it is likely the government knows more than it’s telling about UFOs. CNN’s Chris Cillizza contributed to this report.

Markdown

Ad Feedback Thank You\! Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated. Close [Politics](https://www.cnn.com/politics) [Elections 2026](https://www.cnn.com/election/2026) [Trump](https://www.cnn.com/politics/president-donald-trump-47) [Facts First](https://www.cnn.com/politics/fact-check) [CNN Polls](https://www.cnn.com/polling) [Redistricting Tracker](https://www.cnn.com/politics/state-redistricting-maps-vis/index.html) [Epstein Files](https://www.cnn.com/politics/epstein-files) [More]() [Elections 2026](https://www.cnn.com/election/2026) [Trump](https://www.cnn.com/politics/president-donald-trump-47) [Facts First](https://www.cnn.com/politics/fact-check) [CNN Polls](https://www.cnn.com/polling) [Redistricting Tracker](https://www.cnn.com/politics/state-redistricting-maps-vis/index.html) [Epstein Files](https://www.cnn.com/politics/epstein-files) [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/subscription/all-access) [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) Subscribe Sign in My Account - [Settings](https://www.cnn.com/account/settings) - [Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Topics you follow](https://www.cnn.com/follow?iid=fw_var-nav) - [Sign out](https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/16/politics/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl) Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account Sign in My Account - [Settings](https://www.cnn.com/account/settings) - [Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Topics you follow](https://www.cnn.com/follow?iid=fw_var-nav) - [Sign out](https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/16/politics/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl) Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account *** [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/subscription/all-access) *** Edition [US](https://us.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) [International](https://edition.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) [Arabic](https://arabic.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) [Español](https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) Edition - [US](https://us.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) - [International](https://edition.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) - [Arabic](https://arabic.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) - [Español](https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/?hpt=header_edition-picker) *** [Elections 2026](https://www.cnn.com/election/2026) [Trump](https://www.cnn.com/politics/president-donald-trump-47) [Facts First](https://www.cnn.com/politics/fact-check) [CNN Polls](https://www.cnn.com/polling) [Redistricting Tracker](https://www.cnn.com/politics/state-redistricting-maps-vis/index.html) [Epstein Files](https://www.cnn.com/politics/epstein-files) *** Follow CNN Politics Download the CNN App *** - [US](https://www.cnn.com/us) - [Crime & Justice](https://www.cnn.com/us/crime-and-justice) - [Immigration](https://www.cnn.com/us/immigration) - [Education](https://www.cnn.com/us/education) - [Transportation](https://www.cnn.com/us/transportation) - [Race & Identity](https://www.cnn.com/us/race-and-identity) - [World](https://www.cnn.com/world) - [Africa](https://www.cnn.com/world/africa) - [Americas](https://www.cnn.com/world/americas) - [Asia](https://www.cnn.com/world/asia) - [Australia](https://www.cnn.com/world/australia) - [China](https://www.cnn.com/world/china) - [Europe](https://www.cnn.com/world/europe) - [India](https://www.cnn.com/world/india) - [Middle East](https://www.cnn.com/world/middle-east) - [United Kingdom](https://www.cnn.com/world/united-kingdom) - [Politics](https://www.cnn.com/politics) - [Elections 2026](https://www.cnn.com/election/2026) - [Trump](https://www.cnn.com/politics/president-donald-trump-47) - [Facts First](https://www.cnn.com/politics/fact-check) - [CNN Polls](https://www.cnn.com/polling) - [Redistricting Tracker](https://www.cnn.com/politics/state-redistricting-maps-vis/index.html) - [Epstein Files](https://www.cnn.com/politics/epstein-files) - [Business](https://www.cnn.com/business) - [Tech](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech) - [Media](https://www.cnn.com/business/media) - [Calculators](https://www.cnn.com/business/financial-calculators) - [Videos](https://www.cnn.com/business/videos) - [Markets](https://www.cnn.com/markets) - [Pre-markets](https://www.cnn.com/markets/premarkets) - [After-Hours](https://www.cnn.com/markets/after-hours) - [Fear & Greed](https://www.cnn.com/markets/fear-and-greed) - [Investing](https://www.cnn.com/business/investing) - [Markets Now](https://www.cnn.com/business/markets-now) - [Nightcap](https://www.cnn.com/business/markets/nightcap) - [Health](https://www.cnn.com/health) - [Life, But Better](https://www.cnn.com/interactive/life-but-better/) - [Fitness](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/fitness) - [Food](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/food) - [Sleep](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/sleep) - [Mindfulness](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/mindfulness) - [Relationships](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/relationships) - [CNN Underscored](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored) - [Electronics](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/electronics) - [Fashion](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/fashion) - [Beauty](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/beauty) - [Health & Fitness](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/health-fitness) - [Home](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/home) - [Reviews](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews) - [Deals](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/deals) - [Gifts](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/gifts) - [Travel](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/travel) - [Outdoors](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/outdoors) - [Pets](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/pets) - [Entertainment](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment) - [Movies](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/movies) - [Television](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/tv-shows) - [Celebrity](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/celebrities) - [Tech](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech) - [Innovate](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech/innovate) - [Style](https://www.cnn.com/style) - [Arts](https://www.cnn.com/style/arts) - [Design](https://www.cnn.com/style/design) - [Fashion](https://www.cnn.com/style/fashion) - [Architecture](https://www.cnn.com/style/architecture) - [Luxury](https://www.cnn.com/style/luxury) - [Beauty](https://www.cnn.com/style/beauty) - [Video](https://www.cnn.com/style/videos) - [Travel](https://www.cnn.com/travel) - [Destinations](https://www.cnn.com/travel/destinations) - [Food & Drink](https://www.cnn.com/travel/food-and-drink) - [Stay](https://www.cnn.com/travel/stay) - [Videos](https://www.cnn.com/travel/videos) - [Sports](https://www.cnn.com/sports) - [NFL](https://www.cnn.com/sport/nfl) - [NBA](https://www.cnn.com/sport/nba) - [MLB](https://www.cnn.com/sport/mlb) - [WNBA](https://www.cnn.com/sport/wnba) - [Golf](https://www.cnn.com/sport/golf) - [Soccer](https://www.cnn.com/sport/soccer) - [Tennis](https://www.cnn.com/sport/tennis) - [Motorsport](https://www.cnn.com/sport/motorsport) - [College Sports](https://www.cnn.com/sport/college-sports) - [Olympics](https://www.cnn.com/sport/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-2026) - [Bleacher Report](https://bleacherreport.com/) - [Science](https://www.cnn.com/science) - [Space](https://www.cnn.com/science/space) - [Life](https://www.cnn.com/science/life) - [Unearthed](https://www.cnn.com/science/unearthed) - [Climate](https://www.cnn.com/climate) - [Solutions](https://www.cnn.com/climate/solutions) - [Weather](https://www.cnn.com/weather) - [Weather](https://www.cnn.com/weather) - [Video](https://www.cnn.com/weather/video) - [Climate](https://www.cnn.com/climate) - [Ukraine-Russia War](https://www.cnn.com/world/europe/ukraine) - [Israel-Hamas War](https://www.cnn.com/world/middleeast/israel) - [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/watch) - [Featured](https://www.cnn.com/watch) - [Shows & Films](https://www.cnn.com/watch#shows-films) - [Network TV](https://www.cnn.com/videos/live) - [Clips](https://www.cnn.com/videos) - [CNN Headlines](https://www.cnn.com/videos/fast/cnn-headlines) - [Shows A-Z](https://www.cnn.com/tv/all-shows) - [CNN 10](https://www.cnn10.com/) - [CNN TV Schedule](https://www.cnn.com/tv/schedule/cnn) - [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) - [All There Is with Anderson Cooper](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/all-there-is-with-anderson-cooper) - [Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/chasing-life) - [The Assignment with Audie Cornish](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/the-assignment) - [Terms of Service with Clare Duffy](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/terms-of-service-with-clare-duffy) - [CNN 5 Things](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/5-things) - [All CNN Podcasts](https://www.cnn.com/audio) - [Games](https://www.cnn.com/games) - [Daily Crossword](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/cnn-crossword) - [Jumble Crossword](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/jumble-crossword-daily) - [Photo Shuffle](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/photo-shuffle) - [Sudoblock](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/sudoblock) - [Sudoku](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/daily-sudoku) - [5 Things Quiz](https://cnn.it/5thingsquiz) - [About CNN](https://www.cnn.com/about) - [Subscribe](https://www.cnn.com/subscription?source=sub_web_footersubnav-link) - [Photos](https://www.cnn.com/world/photos) - [Investigations](https://www.cnn.com/us/cnn-investigates) - [CNN Profiles](https://www.cnn.com/profiles) - [CNN Leadership](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/cnn-leadership) - [CNN Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Work for CNN](https://careers.wbd.com/cnnjobs) *** Download the CNN App Watch live [NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte delivers remarks](https://www.cnn.com/live-video-1) [Politics](https://www.cnn.com/politics) 3 min read # Obama clarifies alien comments after telling podcast ‘they’re real’ By Lianne Kolirin Updated Feb 16, 2026, 12:21 PM ET Published Feb 16, 2026, 6:44 AM ET Updated Feb 16, 2026 Updated Feb 16, 2026, 12:21 PM ET PUBLISHED Feb 16, 2026, 6:44 AM ET **Unable to load video** Please try again later. Error occurred while fetching labs Subtitles - Off Video Ad Feedback Obama said aliens exist on a podcast then posted to clarify 0:51 • Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/) ![Former US President Barack Obama campaigns in support of Democratic Presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 3, 2024.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Obama said aliens exist on a podcast then posted to clarify 0:51 Deep space Media Federal agencies US military [See all topics](https://www.cnn.com/follow) Facebook Tweet [Email](mailto:?subject=CNN%20content%20share&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%3A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Fpolitics%2Fobama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl "Share with email") Link Threads Link Copied\! Former US President[Barack Obama](https://cnn.com/2026/02/14/politics/obama-minnesota-ice-operation-dictatorships) said he’s seen no evidence that [aliens](https://cnn.com/2025/12/28/us/fighter-jets-ufos-1952-dc) have made contact with Earth, clarifying his position on extraterrestrials after comments he made in a podcast went viral. Obamafound himself in the spotlight over the weekend after he appeared to confirm the existence of aliens in an [interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI-hgSE5QIw) he did with US podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen. Towards the end of the interview, which dealt with a range of heavyweight issues such as the killing of protesters at the hands of immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota, Cohen posed a series of questions in a “lightning round,” starting with: “Are aliens real?” Ad Feedback “They’re real but I haven’t seen them,” replied Obama. “And they’re not being kept in… what is it? Area 51. There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.” The second question in that round was “what was the first question that you wanted answered when you became president?,” to which Obama replied, laughing: “Where are the aliens?” The interviewer did not delve into the response, instead going straight onto the next question. Obama’s answer was picked up by international media, as well as people on social media. On Sunday evening, Obama issued a statement to clarify his position. He posted the clip of his original comments on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUy9E_UD9RR/), accompanied by a short statement, saying: “I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there. “But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!” It’s not the first time that Obama has spoken out on the issue. In an [appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”](https://cnn.com/videos/media/2021/05/19/barack-obama-talks-ufos-late-late-show-int-orig-bdk.cnn) He said: “What is true, and I’m actually being serious here, is that there are, there’s footage and records of objects in the skies, that we don’t know exactly what they are. “We can’t explain how they moved, their trajectory. They did not have an easily explainable pattern. And so, you know, I think that people still take seriously trying to investigate and figure out what that is.” [Related vertical video ![117130\_ObamaICE\_cleanthumb.jpg](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn-fallback-image.jpg) Brian Tyler Cohen Obama compares ICE’s ‘rogue behavior’ in Minnesota to dictatorships](https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/15/us/video/ice-barack-obama-rogue-behavior-minnesota-minneapolis-hnk-vrtc-digvid) Conspiracy theories involving extraterrestrial life have long abounded about Area 51, a highly classified United States Air Force facility located at Groom Lake in southern Nevada. One popular UFO conspiracy is that in 1947 in Roswell, New Mexico, remains from a flying saucer that supposedly crashed were takento Area 51 for reverse engineering experiments in order to replicate the extraterrestrial spacecraft. In June 2019, a poll conducted by YouGov found that 54% of US adults think it is likely the government knows more than it’s telling about UFOs. *CNN’s Chris Cillizza contributed to this report.* Deep space Media Federal agencies US military [See all topics](https://www.cnn.com/follow) Facebook Tweet [Email](mailto:?subject=CNN%20content%20share&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%3A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Fpolitics%2Fobama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl "Share with email") Link Threads Link Copied\! Ad Feedback Subscribe Sign in My Account - [Settings](https://www.cnn.com/account/settings) - [Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Topics you follow](https://www.cnn.com/follow?iid=fw_var-nav) - [Sign out](https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/16/politics/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl) Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account *** [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/watch) *** - [US](https://www.cnn.com/us) - [Crime & Justice](https://www.cnn.com/us/crime-and-justice) - [Immigration](https://www.cnn.com/us/immigration) - [Education](https://www.cnn.com/us/education) - [Transportation](https://www.cnn.com/us/transportation) - [Race & Identity](https://www.cnn.com/us/race-and-identity) - [World](https://www.cnn.com/world) - [Africa](https://www.cnn.com/world/africa) - [Americas](https://www.cnn.com/world/americas) - [Asia](https://www.cnn.com/world/asia) - [Australia](https://www.cnn.com/world/australia) - [China](https://www.cnn.com/world/china) - [Europe](https://www.cnn.com/world/europe) - [India](https://www.cnn.com/world/india) - [Middle East](https://www.cnn.com/world/middle-east) - [United Kingdom](https://www.cnn.com/world/united-kingdom) - [Politics](https://www.cnn.com/politics) - [Elections 2026](https://www.cnn.com/election/2026) - [Trump](https://www.cnn.com/politics/president-donald-trump-47) - [Facts First](https://www.cnn.com/politics/fact-check) - [CNN Polls](https://www.cnn.com/polling) - [Redistricting Tracker](https://www.cnn.com/politics/state-redistricting-maps-vis/index.html) - [Epstein Files](https://www.cnn.com/politics/epstein-files) - [Business](https://www.cnn.com/business) - [Tech](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech) - [Media](https://www.cnn.com/business/media) - [Calculators](https://www.cnn.com/business/financial-calculators) - [Videos](https://www.cnn.com/business/videos) - [Markets](https://www.cnn.com/markets) - [Pre-markets](https://www.cnn.com/markets/premarkets) - [After-Hours](https://www.cnn.com/markets/after-hours) - [Fear & Greed](https://www.cnn.com/markets/fear-and-greed) - [Investing](https://www.cnn.com/business/investing) - [Markets Now](https://www.cnn.com/business/markets-now) - [Nightcap](https://www.cnn.com/business/markets/nightcap) - [Health](https://www.cnn.com/health) - [Life, But Better](https://www.cnn.com/interactive/life-but-better/) - [Fitness](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/fitness) - [Food](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/food) - [Sleep](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/sleep) - [Mindfulness](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/mindfulness) - [Relationships](https://www.cnn.com/health/life-but-better/relationships) - [CNN Underscored](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored) - [Electronics](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/electronics) - [Fashion](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/fashion) - [Beauty](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/beauty) - [Health & Fitness](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/health-fitness) - [Home](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/home) - [Reviews](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews) - [Deals](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/deals) - [Gifts](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/gifts) - [Travel](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/travel) - [Outdoors](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/outdoors) - [Pets](https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/pets) - [Entertainment](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment) - [Movies](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/movies) - [Television](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/tv-shows) - [Celebrity](https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/celebrities) - [Tech](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech) - [Innovate](https://www.cnn.com/business/tech/innovate) - [Style](https://www.cnn.com/style) - [Arts](https://www.cnn.com/style/arts) - [Design](https://www.cnn.com/style/design) - [Fashion](https://www.cnn.com/style/fashion) - [Architecture](https://www.cnn.com/style/architecture) - [Luxury](https://www.cnn.com/style/luxury) - [Beauty](https://www.cnn.com/style/beauty) - [Video](https://www.cnn.com/style/videos) - [Travel](https://www.cnn.com/travel) - [Destinations](https://www.cnn.com/travel/destinations) - [Food & Drink](https://www.cnn.com/travel/food-and-drink) - [Stay](https://www.cnn.com/travel/stay) - [News](https://www.cnn.com/travel/news) - [Videos](https://www.cnn.com/travel/videos) - [Sports](https://www.cnn.com/sports) - [NFL](https://www.cnn.com/sport/nfl) - [NBA](https://www.cnn.com/sport/nba) - [MLB](https://www.cnn.com/sport/mlb) - [WNBA](https://www.cnn.com/sport/wnba) - [Golf](https://www.cnn.com/sport/golf) - [Soccer](https://www.cnn.com/sport/soccer) - [Tennis](https://www.cnn.com/sport/tennis) - [Motorsport](https://www.cnn.com/sport/motorsport) - [College Sports](https://www.cnn.com/sport/college-sports) - [Olympics](https://www.cnn.com/sport/milan-cortina-winter-olympics-2026) - [Bleacher Report](https://bleacherreport.com/) - [Science](https://www.cnn.com/science) - [Space](https://www.cnn.com/science/space) - [Life](https://www.cnn.com/science/life) - [Unearthed](https://www.cnn.com/science/unearthed) - [Climate](https://www.cnn.com/climate) - [Solutions](https://www.cnn.com/climate/solutions) - [Weather](https://www.cnn.com/weather) - [Weather](https://www.cnn.com/weather) - [Video](https://www.cnn.com/weather/video) - [Climate](https://www.cnn.com/climate) - [Ukraine-Russia War](https://www.cnn.com/world/europe/ukraine) - [Israel-Hamas War](https://www.cnn.com/world/middleeast/israel) - [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/watch) - [Featured](https://www.cnn.com/watch) - [Shows & Films](https://www.cnn.com/watch#shows-films) - [Network TV](https://www.cnn.com/videos/live) - [Clips](https://www.cnn.com/videos) - [CNN Headlines](https://www.cnn.com/videos/fast/cnn-headlines) - [Shows A-Z](https://www.cnn.com/tv/all-shows) - [CNN 10](https://www.cnn10.com/) - [CNN TV Schedule](https://www.cnn.com/tv/schedule/cnn) - [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) - [All There Is with Anderson Cooper](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/all-there-is-with-anderson-cooper) - [Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/chasing-life) - [The Assignment with Audie Cornish](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/the-assignment) - [Terms of Service with Clare Duffy](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/terms-of-service-with-clare-duffy) - [CNN 5 Things](https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/5-things) - [All CNN Podcasts](https://www.cnn.com/audio) - [Games](https://www.cnn.com/games) - [Daily Crossword](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/cnn-crossword) - [Jumble Crossword](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/jumble-crossword-daily) - [Photo Shuffle](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/photo-shuffle) - [Sudoblock](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/sudoblock) - [Sudoku](https://www.cnn.com/games/play/daily-sudoku) - [5 Things Quiz](https://cnn.it/5thingsquiz) - [About CNN](https://www.cnn.com/about) - [Subscribe](https://www.cnn.com/subscription?source=sub_web_footersubnav-link) - [Photos](https://www.cnn.com/world/photos) - [Investigations](https://www.cnn.com/us/cnn-investigates) - [CNN Profiles](https://www.cnn.com/profiles) - [CNN Leadership](https://www.cnn.com/profiles/cnn-leadership) - [CNN Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Work for CNN](https://careers.wbd.com/cnnjobs) *** [Politics](https://www.cnn.com/politics) [Watch](https://www.cnn.com/watch) [Listen](https://www.cnn.com/audio) *** Subscribe Sign in My Account - [Settings](https://www.cnn.com/account/settings) - [Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) - [Topics you follow](https://www.cnn.com/follow?iid=fw_var-nav) - [Sign out](https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/16/politics/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl) Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account Follow CNN Politics *** Download the CNN app Download the CNN app *** [Terms of Use](https://www.cnn.com/terms) [Privacy Policy](https://www.cnn.com/privacy) [Manage Cookies](https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/16/politics/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl) [Ad Choices](https://www.cnn.com/ad-choices) [Accessibility & CC](https://www.cnn.com/accessibility) [About](https://www.cnn.com/about) [Subscribe](https://www.cnn.com/subscription?source=sub_web_footerlink-link) [Newsletters](https://www.cnn.com/newsletters) [Transcripts](https://www.cnn.com/transcripts) [Help Center](https://help.cnn.com/) © 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network. ## Download the CNN app Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play. ![Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/google-play-cnn-app-qr-code.png) ## Download the CNN app Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store. ![Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/app-store-cnn-app-qr-code.png) ![CNN Logo](https://www.cnn.com/media/sites/cnn/cnn.svg) ## Legal Terms and Privacy By clicking Agree, you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and agree to the collection and use of your information by cookies and similar technologies, as set forth in our Privacy Policy. By clicking "Agree", you have read and agree to the [Terms of Use](https://www.cnn.com/terms) and agree to the collection and use of your information by cookies and similar technologies, as set forth in our [Privacy Policy](https://www.cnn.com/privacy). [Agree](https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/16/politics/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl)

Readable Markdown

Former US President[Barack Obama](https://cnn.com/2026/02/14/politics/obama-minnesota-ice-operation-dictatorships) said he’s seen no evidence that [aliens](https://cnn.com/2025/12/28/us/fighter-jets-ufos-1952-dc) have made contact with Earth, clarifying his position on extraterrestrials after comments he made in a podcast went viral. Obamafound himself in the spotlight over the weekend after he appeared to confirm the existence of aliens in an [interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI-hgSE5QIw) he did with US podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen. Towards the end of the interview, which dealt with a range of heavyweight issues such as the killing of protesters at the hands of immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota, Cohen posed a series of questions in a “lightning round,” starting with: “Are aliens real?” Ad Feedback “They’re real but I haven’t seen them,” replied Obama. “And they’re not being kept in… what is it? Area 51. There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.” The second question in that round was “what was the first question that you wanted answered when you became president?,” to which Obama replied, laughing: “Where are the aliens?” The interviewer did not delve into the response, instead going straight onto the next question. Obama’s answer was picked up by international media, as well as people on social media. On Sunday evening, Obama issued a statement to clarify his position. He posted the clip of his original comments on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUy9E_UD9RR/), accompanied by a short statement, saying: “I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there. “But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!” It’s not the first time that Obama has spoken out on the issue. In an [appearance on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”](https://cnn.com/videos/media/2021/05/19/barack-obama-talks-ufos-late-late-show-int-orig-bdk.cnn) He said: “What is true, and I’m actually being serious here, is that there are, there’s footage and records of objects in the skies, that we don’t know exactly what they are. “We can’t explain how they moved, their trajectory. They did not have an easily explainable pattern. And so, you know, I think that people still take seriously trying to investigate and figure out what that is.” Conspiracy theories involving extraterrestrial life have long abounded about Area 51, a highly classified United States Air Force facility located at Groom Lake in southern Nevada. One popular UFO conspiracy is that in 1947 in Roswell, New Mexico, remains from a flying saucer that supposedly crashed were takento Area 51 for reverse engineering experiments in order to replicate the extraterrestrial spacecraft. In June 2019, a poll conducted by YouGov found that 54% of US adults think it is likely the government knows more than it’s telling about UFOs. *CNN’s Chris Cillizza contributed to this report.*

ML Classification

ML Categories

/News		82.1%
/News/Politics		75.3%
/News/Politics/Campaigns_and_Elections		47.3%
/People_and_Society		19.2%
/Science		16.6%
/Science/Astronomy		16.0%
/Law_and_Government		12.7%

Raw JSON

{
    "/News": 821,
    "/News/Politics": 753,
    "/News/Politics/Campaigns_and_Elections": 473,
    "/People_and_Society": 192,
    "/Science": 166,
    "/Science/Astronomy": 160,
    "/Law_and_Government": 127
}

ML Page Types

/Article		98.5%
/Article/News_Update		98.1%

Raw JSON

{
    "/Article": 985,
    "/Article/News_Update": 981
}

ML Intent Types

Informational

99.7%

Raw JSON

{
    "Informational": 997
}

Content Metadata

Language

Author

Lianne Kolirin

Publish Time

2026-02-16 11:44:10 (2 months ago)

Original Publish Time

2026-02-16 11:44:10 (2 months ago)

Republished

Word Count (Total)

1,454

Word Count (Content)

492

Links

External Links

Internal Links

252

Technical SEO

Meta Nofollow

Meta Noarchive

JS Rendered

Yes

Redirect Target

null

Performance

Download Time (ms)

950

TTFB (ms)

636

Download Size (bytes)

523,298

Shard

51 (laksa)

Root Hash

2312100192101524051

Unparsed URL

com,cnn!www,/2026/02/16/politics/obama-clarifies-alien-comments-scli-intl s443