The Disclosure Mirage

Unraveling the US Government’s Role in Shaping the Modern UFO Narrative

No longer confined to the pages of science fiction novels and whispers of conspiracy theories, the enigmatic phenomenon of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) has consistently captivated public interest for decades. Amid a myriad of opinions, believers assert these elusive objects are evidence of extraterrestrial visitors, while skeptics dismiss them as natural occurrences or man-made fabrications. Recent events, however, have catapulted the UFO debate to new heights.

A groundbreaking New York Times article unveiled a covert Pentagon program focused on UFO research, and the US Navy and Department of Defense have taken unprecedented steps to address and frame the UFO narrative. At the same time, a company founded by a former rock star and avid UFO enthusiast claims to hold classified information and materials related to these enigmatic sightings, asserting this evidence will lead to “Disclosure” — an official acknowledgment by the U.S. government of an extraterrestrial presence. These collective efforts have transformed the UFO phenomenon into a subject of rigorous analysis and spirited discussion.

Far from mere coincidence, this dramatic shift in public perception can be attributed to a calculated, coordinated information campaign by the US government, aiming to control and direct the UFO narrative for its own strategic objectives. This article delves into the details of how this remarkable transformation unfolded.

Origins of Today’s UFO Disinformation: The New York Times’ Lesson in Bad Journalism

In December 2017, The New York Times published a front-page article that shook the world of UFO enthusiasts and skeptics alike. The article claimed that the Pentagon had been secretly running a program to investigate UFOs for a decade, and that it had amassed evidence of mysterious aerial phenomena that defied conventional explanation. The article featured interviews with former officials and experts who asserted that UFOs were a serious national security threat, warranting more scientific and public scrutiny.

The article was hailed by many as a breakthrough in UFO journalism, as it seemed to confirm the existence and importance of a topic that had long been dismissed or ridiculed by the mainstream media. The article also sparked a series of official actions and statements from various government agencies and officials that acknowledged and addressed the UFO issue. For instance, the Pentagon confirmed that it had been running a UFO program and that it had evidence of UFO encounters, the Navy issued new guidelines for reporting UFO sightings by its personnel, and several former high-ranking officials from various branches of the government, including former presidents, CIA directors, NASA administrators, and Secretaries of State, openly discussed their views and experiences on UFOs.

Closer examination of the article reveals that it was far from being a model of journalistic excellence. In fact, it was riddled with flaws and shortcomings that undermined its credibility and accuracy. The article failed to adhere to the standards of journalistic integrity and scientific rigor that such a controversial and complex topic demands by relying heavily on biased and questionable sources, and it failed to provide sufficient transparency and rigor in its investigation and presentation of the UFO topic.

The main sources of the article were two individuals who had a clear stake in promoting the UFO agenda: former Senator Harry Reid and aerospace mogul Robert Bigelow. Reid was instrumental in securing funding for the Pentagon’s UFO program, while Bigelow’s company received most of that money to conduct research on UFOs. Both had a vested interest in generating public support for further UFO studies. They also had a history of being fascinated by UFOs and paranormal phenomena, which could have influenced their judgment and objectivity.

The article also introduced Luis Elizondo, who claimed to be a former Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) counterintelligence officer and the director of the Pentagon’s UFO program, known as the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). However, Elizondo’s credentials were not a fit for UFO investigations. He was not formally trained nor an expert in engineering, atmospheric science, astronomy, or piloting — fields ostensibly essential for analyzing UFO sightings. Instead, he brought along expertise in military deception (MILDEC), which involves creating false or misleading information to manipulate or confuse adversaries. He was also a contractor for the Department of Defense, working for a unit that dealt with special access programs, but not with UFOs. The article failed to mention any of these facts.

Indeed, the 2017 New York Times article took Elizondo’s claims at face value without questioning the absence of corroborative evidence. It did not explain how he became the director of AATIP or how he obtained and released classified documents and videos of UFO encounters. It did not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that he might have had. Nor did the reporters seek out alternative perspectives or counterarguments from other officials or experts who might have challenged or contradicted Elizondo’s assertions.

The article also lacked transparency and rigor in its presentation of the Pentagon’s UFO program and its findings. It did not describe the methods and standards used to conduct research and analysis on UFOs, how the program’s conclusions were verified or validated by independent or peer reviewers, and it failed to disclose whether the program’s research was replicated or corroborated by other scientists or institutions.

Rather than adhering to these basic journalistic principles, the article invoked sensationalist language and phrases that appealed to readers’ emotions, distorting the reality and uncertainty of the UFO phenomenon. Examples include “glowing auras,” “black money,” and “science fiction is now science fact,” implying that UFOs were supernatural, mysterious, or extraordinary, rather than natural, explainable, or ordinary.

Ultimately, the New York Times ignored essential context that would have given a more balanced and accurate picture of the UFO topic when it failed to mention that:

In 2017, the Pentagon admitted that it had a long-standing program, called the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, that investigated alleged UFOs, but claimed that it ended in 2012.

The documents and videos cited as evidence of UFO encounters by the program were not verified or authenticated by the Pentagon or any other independent authority. Some of them were leaked or released without proper authorization, and some of them were later challenged or debunked by experts or officials.

There were other government agencies or programs that had investigated UFOs before or after the Pentagon’s program, such as Project Blue Book, which ran from 1947 to 1969 and concluded that most UFO sightings could be explained by natural or human-made causes.

There were scientific or methodological challenges or limitations in studying UFOs, such as the lack of reliable or consistent data, the difficulty of distinguishing between natural and artificial phenomena, or the possibility of human error or deception.

One of the main sources of the New York Times article was Luis Elizondo, who claimed to be a former Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) counterintelligence officer and the director of the Pentagon’s UFO program, known as the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).Elizondo’s credentials, role, and UFO narrative were dubious at best.

Luis Elizondo Propagates the UFO Narrative

Analysis of 215 media appearances featuring Luis Elizondo raises significant questions about his reliability as a source of information on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). These media appearances span a variety of outlets, from mainstream news channels like CNN and The Washington Post to entertainment platforms such as The Hollywood Reporter and The History Channel, as well as niche UFO-focused YouTube channels. Elizondo’s interviews are filled with unverified claims, disinformation, and manipulative communication techniques.

Elizondo’s statements on UAPs consistently lack substance, often appearing vague, speculative, and sensational. For example, during an interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News, Elizondo claimed, “we are seeing things that defy our current understanding of aerodynamics.” He employs various techniques to influence public opinion and perception on the issue. This analysis exposes several problems with his claims and communication style, casting doubt on his reliability and objectivity as a source of information on UAPs and suggesting that he may be part of a coordinated effort to legitimize UFOs as a credible national security issue.

First, Elizondo has failed to provide any conclusive or verifiable evidence in these appearances to support his claims about his role in AATIP, or about the nature or origin of UAPs. Despite the lack of official documents or records confirming his position or involvement in AATIP, a program that some experts dispute focused on UAPs, Elizondo remains a prominent figure. For instance, during an interview with George Knapp on Coast to Coast AM, Elizondo claimed to have “worked directly with the AATIP program,” but he has not produced any tangible evidence to support this claim. Furthermore, he has not disclosed any classified data or material that he claims to have seen or analyzed during his work on UAPs, nor has he explained why he can reveal some information but not others.

In addition, Elizondo’s personal sightings of UAPs during his military service and involvement with AATIP remain uncorroborated and lacking in detail. He has not identified or confirmed any government or military sources who have corroborated his findings or shared their experiences with UAPs. This absence of concrete evidence raises concerns about the validity of his claims.

Elizondo’s assertions about the characteristics of UAPs in these interviews are entirely vague and unsubstantiated. He has stated that “these UAPs exhibit advanced capabilities and technologies that defy the laws of physics.” However, he did not provide any scientific explanation or analysis of how these capabilities were measured or assessed. Nor did he even acknowledge the possibility that some of the UAPs could be experimental aircraft or drones developed by foreign adversaries or private companies. He fails to account for the possibility of human error, misidentification, or hoaxes in some of the UAP sightings. His assertion that UAPs have been observed and recorded for decades or even centuries by various civilizations and cultures worldwide lacks corroboration and does not consider cultural and psychological factors that may influence how people perceive and interpret UAPs.

Elizondo’s speculations on the origins, intentions, and implications of UAPs are not based on any factual or logical basis. Throughout these 215 media appearances, he offers various hypotheses for UAPs, such as extraterrestrial, interdimensional, time-traveling, or human-made, without providing any evidence or rationale for them. He attempts to link UAPs to other phenomena such as consciousness, spirituality, paranormal activity, and ancient mysteries without any empirical or theoretical framework.

Elizondo’s communication style in these interviews is a masterful blend of confidence, passion, and persuasion, employing technical terms, military jargon, and scientific language to convey his authority and expertise. However, this style also serves to manipulate and deceive his audience through various techniques that influence emotions, opinions, and actions. Elizondo uses technical terms such as “trans-medium travel,” “quantum entanglement,” and “metamaterials” to impress his host and listeners with his knowledge and credibility. He uses repetition to reinforce his message, such as “we don’t know what it is,” “we need more data,” and “this is a big deal.” He also employs analogies to make his arguments more relatable, comparing UAPs to Russian nesting dolls, icebergs, and viruses. These techniques, along with his consistent use of metaphoric imagery and emotional appeal, serve to manipulate and deceive his audience by obscuring the lack of evidence, exaggerating the significance, and instilling fear.

Luis Elizondo’s role as a potential disinformation agent, combined with his questionable credibility and manipulative communication style, casts a shadow over the validity of his claims about the nature and origin of UAPs. The data shows that Elizondo’s interviews are more focused on creating hype, controversy, and confusion around the UAP issue than providing accurate, objective, or reliable information. His primary interests appear to be in influencing public opinion and perception on the UAP issue and gaining fame, recognition, and profit from it.

Luis Elizondo is not the only purportedly authoritative source of information on UAPs that may be influenced or controlled by the US government. In fact, there is evidence that the US Navy’s information warfare office, known as N2N6, is orchestrating a clandestine information operation to shape and control public discourse on UAPs.

The U.S. Navy’s Effort to Control the UFO Narrative

The Department of Defense (DoD) appears to be orchestrating a covert information operation to shape and control public discourse about UFOs, or Unidentified Flying Objects. This strategy involves carefully crafting and coordinating language and content in official statements, interviews, and documents on UFOs. Notably, the process also appears to hinder the lawful access to information through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Such activities could potentially breach the Smith-Mundt Act, which prohibits the U.S. government from disseminating propaganda to domestic audiences.

Information operations play a crucial role in modern warfare, aiming to influence, disrupt, or corrupt adversaries’ decision-making while safeguarding our own. Employing tools such as electronic warfare, cyberattacks, psychological operations, deception, and secrecy, and information operations are designed to target foreign audiences and adversaries rather than domestic ones. The U.S. government has a legal and ethical obligation to provide accurate, truthful information to the American public and respect their right to access information.

The Smith-Mundt Act, passed in 1948, regulates the U.S. government’s communication with foreign audiences. It authorizes the State Department to engage in information and educational exchanges with foreign countries while prohibiting domestic dissemination of such materials as propaganda. Amended in 2012, the Act allowed the State Department and the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) to provide information to foreign audiences abroad but explicitly reaffirmed the longstanding prohibition on disseminating information to U.S. audiences, except for certain programs broadcasting news and information to Cuba.

N2N6, the Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare within the Navy, oversees information warfare strategy and capabilities, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, cyber warfare, and information operations. N2N6 significantly influences the U.S. Navy’s approach to information warfare and countering adversarial information operations.

With that in mind, it seems highly unusual for N2N6 to coordinate “official” statements to the American press and public from across the Pentagon. If N2N6’s primary focus is information warfare and countering adversarial information operations, on what basis could the organization justify interacting with domestic audiences. Typically, the DoD Public Affairs office or a similar public-facing department would coordinate responses to media inquiries and FOIA requests. By assuming this role, N2N6 appears to be operating outside its primary mandate.

Publicly available DoD emails suggest that N2N6 may be violating the letter and spirit of the Smith-Mundt Act. The emails demonstrate that N2N6 is utilizing its resources (and funding) to:

Ensure official responses to American audiences related to UFOs are consistent with predetermined messaging on the subject;

Exercise the authority to approve all DoD interviews regarding UAPs;

Limit the introduction of new terms and language in public statements related to UFOs.

The emails also reveal that N2N6 is closely involved with the UAP Task Force, a group established by Congress in 2020 to investigate and report on UFO/UAP sightings by military personnel. The UAP Task Force was supposed to be led by the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), but according to one email, N2N6’s deputy chief Jay Stratton was “informally referred to” as the chief scientist for the task force.

Joe Gradisher and Susan Gough are two key figures in this situation. Joe Gradisher is a U.S. Navy spokesperson who has been involved in the official communication surrounding UAPs, while Susan Gough is a spokesperson for the DoD, who has also been engaged in public communications regarding UAPs. Their roles in crafting and disseminating information about UFOs and UAPs may be part of the coordinated strategy implemented by the DoD and N2N6, which warrants further investigation to determine if their actions follow the Smith-Mundt Act.

The involvement and coordination of N2N6 in response to public UFO-related inquiries are disproportionate when compared to other, more pressing national security concerns. This level of attention strongly suggests an attempt to exert strict control over a carefully devised narrative surrounding UFOs and to avoid any potential revelations that could undermine the DoD’s preferred messaging.

These emails also reflect an unusual pattern of classification and declassification of UFO-related documents and materials that may indicate an intentional effort to control the release of information. In some cases, previously declassified documents have been re-classified, while in other instances, the release of certain documents has been delayed or heavily redacted without a clear explanation.

For example, in 2017, the New York Times published three videos of UAP encounters captured by U.S. Navy pilots, which were later confirmed by the DoD as authentic. However, in 2020, the DoD re-classified the videos as “For Official Use Only” and restricted their public dissemination. Similarly, in 2019, the Navy issued new guidelines for reporting UAP sightings, but refused to share them with the public, citing “security reasons.”

Taken together, the apparent use of information operations by the DoD and N2N6 in relation to UFOs raises significant concerns about the potential violation of the Smith-Mundt Act and the implications of information operations against domestic targets. The involvement of N2N6 in coordinating responses to American press and FOIA inquiries related to UFOs is both highly unusual and suspect, as it seems to be operating outside its primary mandate. Further investigation is needed to determine the extent of N2N6’s involvement and whether its actions comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Another entity that may be involved in a covert operation related to UAPs is To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science (TTSA), a company that claims to be dedicated to UFO research and education.

To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science: A Disinformation Platform

Founded in 2017 by Tom DeLonge, a former rock star and UFO enthusiast, To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science (TTSA) is a company that purports to be dedicated to UFO research and education. TTSA presents itself as a public benefit corporation that combines science, aerospace, and entertainment to explore the mysteries of the universe. Closer examination of TTSA’s financial statements and SEC filings reveals several red flags that cast doubt on business entity. There are several indicators that suggest that TTSA is not what it claims to be, but rather a non-official cover organization, or NOC, that operates under the guise of a private company while being secretly sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the US intelligence community.

A non-official cover organization, or NOC, is an entity that is secretly affiliated with a government agency but does not have any official or diplomatic status. NOCs are often used by intelligence agencies to conduct covert operations or gather information in hostile or sensitive environments. NOCs can take various forms, such as NGOs, media outlets, businesses, or charities. Some of the signs of government sponsorship in TTSA’s financial statements and SEC filings are:

TTSA has several connections to the US government, especially the DoD and the intelligence community. Many of its key members are former or current officials or contractors of these agencies. For example, TTSA’s vice president of operations and programs is Luis Elizondo, who claims to have led a secret Pentagon program on UFOs called the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). TTSA’s vice president of science and technology is Hal Puthoff, who has worked for the CIA and the DoD on various projects involving remote viewing, psychic phenomena, and advanced propulsion systems. TTSA’s director of global security and special programs is Christopher Mellon, who served as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for intelligence in the Clinton and Bush administrations. These connections could indicate that TTSA is a front for conducting clandestine activities or disseminating propaganda on behalf of the government.

TTSA claims to have several contracts or partnerships with government agencies or entities, such as the US Army, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and NASA. However, it has not provided any details or verification of these contracts or partnerships, such as their scope, duration, value, or deliverables. It also claims to have access to classified or proprietary information or materials related to UFOs or advanced technologies. However, it has not disclosed how it obtained this access or what it intends to do with it. These claims could indicate that TTSA is a conduit for transferring or leaking information or materials between government agencies or entities.

A third indicator that TTSA is a non-official cover organization is its lack of transparency and accountability as a business entity. TTSA claims to be a public benefit corporation that aims to “inspire a newfound appreciation of the profound yet unresolved mysteries involving science and the universe” and “be a powerful vehicle for change by creating a consortium among aerospace and entertainment” . However, it has not demonstrated any evidence or results of its public benefit purpose or its science, aerospace, and entertainment projects. Some of the signs of TTSA’s lack of transparency and accountability are:

TTSA claims to be a public benefit corporation that aims to “inspire a newfound appreciation of the profound yet unresolved mysteries involving science and the universe” and “be a powerful vehicle for change by creating a consortium among science, aerospace and entertainment”. However, it has not demonstrated any evidence or results of its public benefit purpose or its science, aerospace, and entertainment projects. For example, it has not revealed any details or verification of its alleged government contracts or partnerships, such as their scope, duration, value, or deliverables. It has also not disclosed any information about its aerospace and science divisions, such as their research projects, funding sources, collaborators, or achievements. It has also not released any products or services for its entertainment division, such as albums, books, TV shows or films, except for those featuring DeLonge’s products. This advertising could indicate that it is using its public benefit status as a cover for its government affiliation or agenda.

According to its SEC filings, TTSA has also not provided any audited financial statements or independent verification of its financial condition or performance. It has also not disclosed the terms or conditions of its loans, royalties, fees, expenses, or compensation to its CEO Tom DeLonge and other insiders. It has also not explained why it has forgiven significant loans to itself from its subsidiaries and affiliates, without any justification or rationale.

To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science (TTSA) is a company that claims to be dedicated to UFO research and education. It was founded in 2017 by Tom DeLonge, a former rock star and UFO enthusiast. TTSA presents itself as a public benefit corporation that combines science, aerospace, and entertainment to explore the mysteries of the universe¹². However, there are many indicators that suggest that TTSA is not what it claims to be, but rather a non-official cover organization, or NOC, that operates under the guise of a private company while being secretly sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the US intelligence community. Some of these indicators are:

• Government connections: TTSA has several connections to the US government, especially the DoD and the intelligence community.
• Government contracts: TTSA claims to have several contracts or partnerships with government agencies or entities but does not provide any details or verification.
• Government funding: TTSA has received significant funding from government sources or entities, either directly or indirectly.
• Misleading advertising as a public benefit corporation: TTSA claims to be a public benefit corporation that aims to inspire and educate the public about UFOs and the universe but does not demonstrate any evidence or results of its public benefit purpose or its science, aerospace and entertainment projects.
• Lack of shareholder rights and representation: TTSA has issued two classes of stock that give no voting rights or dividends to the preferred stockholders and gives all the power to the board of directors, which consists mostly of insiders.

These indicators cast doubt on TTSA’s legitimacy and viability as a business entity and raise questions about its true motives and objectives. Rather than being a genuine public benefit corporation that aims to revolutionize human experience through advanced science and engineering, TTSA may be a covert operation of the US government that uses science, aerospace, and entertainment as a cover for its clandestine activities or propaganda. The truth may be hidden in plain sight.

Conclusion

Available evidence demonstrates that the US Government has been, and continues to engage in, a clandestine information operation aimed at shaping and controlling public discourse on UFOs. This operation employs various sources and platforms to disseminate disinformation and propaganda. The 2017 New York Times article acted as a catalyst for this operation, relying on biased and dubious sources while failing to uphold journalistic integrity and scientific rigor. The US Navy’s information warfare office, N2N6, has orchestrated this operation, coordinating official statements and interviews on UFOs while impeding the lawful access to information.

To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science, a company founded by a former rock star and UFO enthusiast, bears the characteristics of a non-official cover organization. It operates under the pretense of a public benefit corporation while potentially being covertly sponsored by the government. This analysis has uncovered a significant and potentially unlawful role of the government in manipulating the contemporary UFO narrative. These efforts are neither benign nor transparent; they are manipulative and deceptive. The government appears to be using information operations to sway public opinion and perception on a controversial and intricate subject, potentially violating the Smith-Mundt Act and betraying the trust of the American people.