Are Elon Musk and Sam Altman not ‘human’? Internet erupts after podcaster’s claim goes viral as Donald Trump teases UFO files

A social media post by conservative commentator Candace Owens has resurfaced after former US president Donald Trump said he would direct federal agencies to begin identifying and releasing government files related to aliens and unidentified flying objects. The older clip, in which Owens suggested that technology figures including Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and Sam Altman were “not human”, has circulated widely across X in recent days. The renewed attention follows Trump’s statement on Truth Social that his administration would move to release material concerning extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena and UFOs, citing strong public interest. The convergence of those events has drawn fresh online debate and speculation.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would direct the Secretary of War and other departments to begin the process of identifying and releasing files linked to alien and extraterrestrial life, as well as unidentified aerial phenomena and UFOs. He said the move was based on what he described as tremendous public interest. Later remarks repeated that federal agencies would start reviewing material for release.

Interest in UFOs has grown in recent years, particularly after US authorities examined reports of unusual aircraft sightings. Officials have said some incidents remain unexplained, though no confirmed evidence of extraterrestrial origin has been presented.

Against that backdrop, an older video of Owens has gained new traction. In the clip, she speculated that prominent technology leaders were not human and claimed there was “something wrong”.

The remarks were made in a broader discussion about artificial intelligence and rapid advances in technology. At the time, the comments were criticised by some online users as conspiratorial. They have now reappeared in feeds alongside Trump’s announcement.

Neither Musk nor Altman has responded to the revived claims. Both have previously spoken publicly about artificial intelligence risks and future technologies, but not in connection with alien life.

Online interest in UAP and UFO disclosures has ebbed and flowed for decades. Recent congressional hearings and declassified reports have kept the topic in public view. The latest announcement appears to have stirred that interest again. For now, the focus remains on what, if anything, will be released.