Last Friday, when the Donald Trump administration released the first batch of UFO files, the sense of an oncoming rapid, wide-ranging analysis was palpable. Here we look at the expert reaction.
Experts up, down, and across the planet were scrutinizing the evidence, which amounted to 162 declassified UFO files (granted, 120 were PDFs) over the weekend.
For lack of a better idiom, unless one's head was buried beneath the sand, many of us will be aware that the White House is now in the process of releasing declassified archival UFO footage.
And, fresh into work on Monday morning, we can see a mostly enthusiastic reception, apart from a couple of underwhelmed reactions.
The centerpiece of the file release for many was the “8-point star video,” from 2013, likely filmed over Iraq or Syria. Former fighter pilot Ryan Graves was sensible in observing that it might have been infrared energy captured rather than the actual shape of the UFO, he told NewsNation.
Graves pointed out that multiple witnesses came forward to describe the object's unusual trajectory. These, Graves added, “are onesie-twosie videos that the government has decided to release,” but that “average people are seeing these too, not just sensor operators.”
You can see for yourself here.
Ryan Graves says UAP witnesses contacted him today when the ‘8-Point Star’ UFO video was released
undefined UAP James (@UAPJames) May 9, 2026
“With the reports that we’ve had at Americans for Safe Aerospace, other witnesses have described the same thing and have already reached out to me since it dropped.” pic.twitter.com/ha22Yiso98
“Not a drone, not a helicopter”
Another prominent video shows a white object flying through an otherworldly wind-turbine site in Syria, as recently as 2024.
Retired oceanographer Tim Gallaudet told NewsNation “that is an object that we cannot reproduce,” adding that “it’s not a drone, it’s not a helicopter, and it’s under intelligent control.”
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Gallaudet expressed his surprise that the video was even released in the first place. In his view, it is “concerning” that the military doesn’t know what’s happening in their air and sea bases.
Not everyone was on the same page, however, as one replier argued that there’s no reason it wouldn’t be a drone, especially given its tendency to turn back around.
Everyone seems to think that one is impressive I feel like I'm missing somethin. Yes under intelligent control but idk why it wouldn't be a drone. The first thing that made me feel like undefinedaww, it's nothin special,undefined was when it slowed down when it went to turn around.
undefined MusicAndTruth (@MusicAndTruth) May 9, 2026
More needs to follow
Republican Representative Suhas Subramanyam was forthright in his disappointment – “I’m underwhelmed by the release given the things that I’ve seen,” he said.
“I’d like more to be released. The American people deserve to know what we have.”
Rep. Subramanyam on the UFO files: “I’m underwhelmed by the release given the things that I’ve seen”
undefined UAP James (@UAPJames) May 10, 2026
“I’d like more to be released. The American people deserve to know what we have.”
Subramanyam is Ranking Member of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Military & Foreign Affairs pic.twitter.com/VKk4Hbkh2g
The reactions were strong. “It’s a joke!” one commenter explained, citing reasons of absurdity, albeit not clarifying what they really meant.
“You know, I’m kind of fine with the pacing,” explained another user, highlighting that it's laypeople who are witnessing the evidence now, not only “people who live in a ufology bubble 24/7.”
Heavyweights weigh in
And after months of intense speculation, distinguished journalist Ross Coulthart parroted Christopher Mellon’s catchphrase of how “it’s not a nothingburger” while adding “probably one of the bigger news stories of recent times.”
NewsNation’s in-depth conversation with Luis Elizondo saw the whistleblower use some more understandable phrases than "nothingburgers."
“This is a drop in the proverbial ocean,” observed Elizondo, suggesting that there will be a lot more “drops” to look forward to.
Elizondo was keen to give credit where credit was due, also acknowledging that President Trump had followed through on his initial promise.
And in keeping with the aquatic theme, he even added: “It’s a bit of dipping your toe in the water before you decide to take a high dive and cannonball into the deep end.”
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