• Obama stated that aliens likely exist but there is no evidence of contact with Earth.
• He emphasized that aliens are not kept at Area 51, debunking conspiracy theories.
• Obama's comments stirred significant reaction on social media and prompted a clarifying statement.

During a recent podcast with Brian Tyler Cohen, former President Barack Obama claimed, "They're real" when asked about aliens but expressed, "I haven't seen them," leading to widespread discussion and speculation online, particularly regarding Area 51. Obama emphasized that no aliens are kept at Area 51, stating, "There's no underground facility unless there's this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States," which has fueled long-standing conspiracy theories surrounding the site, known for its top-secret aircraft testing, according to SCMP and BBC.

After his comments generated significant media attention, Obama issued a statement on Instagram clarifying that statistically, while the universe is vast and life is probable, "the chances we've been visited by aliens is low." He noted that, during his presidency, he saw "no evidence" that extraterrestrials had made contact with Earth, reinforcing that such statements were made within the context of a rapid-fire question format, according to Al Jazeera and CBS News.

The secrecy surrounding Area 51 has been a focal point of UFO enthusiasts, often linked to conspiracy theories suggesting the US government hides alien spacecraft there. Records were declassified in 2013 that confirmed its existence as a test site, but the government has denied any involvement with extraterrestrial technology. This has only fueled speculation and interest, as seen in events like the 2019 "Storm Area 51" social media phenomenon, drawing attention to the location, according to AA and LA Times.