President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he will order the release of government records related to “alien and extraterrestrial life.” Trump announced his plans to release the records in a Truth Social post. The move comes after former President Barack Obama asserted that aliens “are real” in a recent YouTube interview. “Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters. GOD BLESS AMERICA!” said Trump. Earlier on Thursday, the president joked that Obama “gave classified information” when he spoke about the existence of aliens with podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen on Saturday. “I can tell you he gave classified information, he’s not supposed to be doing that,” said Trump when asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy about Obama’s remarks while aboard Air Force One. “He made a big mistake. He took it out of classified information,” said Trump without affirming or denying the existence of extraterrestrial life. “No, I don’t have an opinion on it. I never talk about it,” Trump continued. “A lot of people do. A lot of people believe it.” “Do you believe it, Peter?” Trump said, returning the question back to Doocy, who responded in kind. “The president can declassify anything he wants to,” Doocy said. “Maybe I’ll get him out of trouble,” Trump said. “I may get him out of trouble by declassifying.” After Obama’s quick comments about aliens during a “lightning round” of questioning on Cohen’s show, the former president sought to clarify his remarks in a post on Instagram. Obama’s clarification after his remarks about the existence of aliens caught traction online. “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!” said Obama.

Actor Eric Dane, best known for his role on “Grey’s Anatomy,” has died at the age of 53, just one year after announcing his ALS diagnosis. The star’s family confirmed his passing with a statement shared with People. “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” it said. “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.” “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.” Dane, who was born in San Francisco, started acting on a whim and loved it. He got his start with guest roles on popular shows including “Saved by the Bell,” “The Wonder Years,” “Roseanne,” “Married With Children,” and “Silk Stalkings” before becoming a household name playing Dr. Mark Sloan, nicknamed “McSteamy,” on “Grey’s Anatomy” beginning in 2006. He also had a major role in “Euphoria.” The actor was married to actress Rebecca Gayheart since 2004 and the pair had two children together. Gayheart had previously filed for divorce in 2018, but called it off in 2025, saying she and Dane were still “best of friends,” as The Daily Wire previously reported. ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control. Over time, individuals with ALS may lose the ability to speak, move, eat, and breathe independently. ALS has no cure, and people who receive this diagnosis usually only live three to five years after symptoms start.

In another overtime nail-biter for the United States, the women’s hockey team defeated Canada to capture their third Olympic gold medal. Since women’s hockey made its Olympic debut in 1998, only Canada and the United States have won gold in the event, and this year was no exception. The rivalry was on full display in the arena Thursday when the teams competed in the finals for the seventh time — with Canada having won five of them. But this year, it was America’s turn. After a scoreless opening period, Kristin O’Neill broke the deadlock for Canada and they took the 1-0 lead into the third. The gold was just within reach. The arena then erupted when Hilary Knight tied the game 1-1 — adding to her own Olympic resume — with just two minutes remaining in regulation. When the third period ended, the teams headed to 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime, a 20-minute period played until the first goal. But overtime didn’t last long. Just four minutes into the extra frame, Megan Keller danced around Claire Thompson and flipped the puck past goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens for the game-winner. TEAM USA TAKES GOLD

In a scene that plays out like a deleted subplot from “Veep,” a man asked President Trump to sign his Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, which had previously been signed by former President Biden. The unidentified recipient, who presumably spent 4,000 hours of his life volunteering—only to have his reward signed by a mechanical ghost—approached President Trump with a request that has now redefined the term “cancel culture.” Holding the certificate, which bore the signature of former President Joe Biden, the man didn’t just ask for an autograph; he asked for an exorcism. “I don’t want his name on there,” the man pleaded, looking at the document with the same level of affection one might give a subpoena. “Can you help me out?” President Trump, never one to miss an opportunity to play both commander in chief and forensic handwriting expert, immediately took the stage. After confirming with the crowd that the man indeed wanted the 46th president’s John Hancock scrubbed from existence, Trump went to work. “And mine’s not an autopen,” Trump declared. “His is. That’s an autopen signature. See that? You know, that’s an autopen.” Trump then pivoted, “That’s an autopen signature. You think he signed that? He didn’t sign that. I don’t know how he did that. It’s insulting, when you think about it.” He finished signing, adding, “Now you have a real lifetime achievement award.” LOL. A man in Georgia who received a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from Biden crossed out Biden's name and asked Trump to sign it instead “I don’t want his [Biden’s] name on there. So can you help me out?”pic.twitter.com/5KWyw1s49E — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 19, 2026 After it came to light Biden had used an autopen, the former president flatly denied any impropriety. “I made the decisions,” he insisted, calling claims otherwise “ridiculous and false.” Congressional Republicans, led by figures like House Oversight Chairman James Comer, remained unconvinced and launched inquiries. But at least one American volunteer has already rendered his verdict. When given the choice between a presidential signature and what Trump has called “a machine,” he opted for ink. Some awards come with a gold seal. This one came with a Sharpie — and the comforting knowledge that at least one signature in Washington that day doesn’t require batteries.

Idaho authorities say an attempted arsonist targeted a building housing offices for the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday night. Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea described the attack during a Thursday press conference. He said someone stole an ambulance and covered it in an accelerant. The attempted arsonist then rammed it into a building that houses leased offices for Homeland Security, but was scared off before being able to ignite the fuel. “We want to emphasize that this was a serious criminal act. The theft and destruction of an emergency vehicle not only created risk to responding personnel, but it also temporarily removed a critical medical resource from the community,” Basterrechea emphasized. The police chief said that the suspect is still at large. During the press conference, he suggested that controversy and radical rhetoric regarding the Department of Homeland Security may have played into the attack. “There has been a lot of rhetoric surrounding the Department of Homeland Security leasing office space at this location, and comments on social media such as, ‘property damage isn’t violence,’ is absolutely false,” said Basterrechea. “This was absolutely an act of violence, and if the suspect had not been interrupted, there is no doubt this building would have been burned, putting the lives of first responders and others at risk,” he continued. The attempted arsonist stole the ambulance from St. Luke’s hospital and crashed it into a building owned by St. Luke’s Health System in Meridian. St. Luke’s Health System had rented space in the damaged building to the Department of Homeland Security, and the lease has been at the center of some heated public debate, according to the Associated Press. The attack comes at a time when federal immigration enforcement is facing a steep rise in threats and attacks as agents attempt to carry out President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda and enforce federal law. Earlier this month, a DHS spokeswoman presented several data points showing the rapid jump in violence. “Thanks to rhetoric by sanctuary politicians and encouragement of illegal aliens to evade arrest, our officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats against them. Secretary Noem has been clear: anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she said. Democratic politicians have repeatedly attacked federal immigration agents, especially those with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some have compared ICE agents to Nazi secret police.