Luis Elizondo
Former AATIP Director
BIOGRAPHY
Verified Pentagon employment and AATIP role. Instrumental in the 2017 NYT disclosure that changed the UAP conversation. His claims have grown more extraordinary over time, from 'we need to investigate' to 'the government has recovered craft.' Book became NYT bestseller. Testified before Congress in 2024.
KEY CLAIMS (3)
UAP are real advanced technologies not made by any government
Elizondo has consistently stated that UAP represent real, physical objects demonstrating technology far beyond any known human capability, including hypersonic speeds, anti-gravity, and trans-medium travel.
The U.S. government possesses recovered UAP technologies
When asked directly if the U.S. government has debris from a UFO, Elizondo answered 'Yes.' He testified that documents show the U.S. has been dealing with this since the early 1950s.
A secretive arms race involving UAP technologies exists
Elizondo believes the world is in a multi-decade, secretive arms race involving recovered UAP technologies, with some adversaries potentially in possession of similar materials.
TIMELINE (6)
AATIP Program Created
The Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program is created at the Defense Intelligence Agency, initiated by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid with $22 million in funding.
Joins AATIP at the Pentagon
Elizondo joins the program at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and eventually becomes its director.
Resignation Letter to Secretary Mattis
Submits resignation protesting excessive secrecy and internal opposition to UAP investigation. Writes that UAP pose an 'existential threat to national security.'
New York Times Bombshell Article
The NYT publishes 'Glowing Auras and Black Money,' revealing AATIP's existence along with three Navy pilot videos Elizondo helped provide. This fundamentally changes public discourse on UAP.
Publishes 'Imminent' — NYT Bestseller
Releases 'Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs,' which becomes an instant New York Times bestseller.
Congressional Testimony
Testifies before joint House Oversight Subcommittees, claiming the government has conducted secret UFO retrievals and that a 'small cadre' created a culture of suppression.
KEY QUOTES (3)
“We're not alone. We are not alone in this universe, and it is a simple fact. The U.S. government has been aware of that fact for decades now.”
Various media interviews•2021
“I'm not telling you that it doesn't sound wacky. What I'm telling you, it's real.”
60 Minutes with Bill Whitaker•2021-05
“These aircraft were captured on radar doing 10,000, 13,000 miles an hour... and are able to execute an immediate right-angle turn.”
Various interviews•2021
TOP ARTICLES (2)
Glowing Auras and 'Black Money': The Pentagon's Mysterious U.F.O. Program
The landmark article that revealed AATIP's existence and released three Navy pilot UAP videos to the world.
UFOs & National Security with Luis Elizondo
Washington Post Live interview where Elizondo discusses national security implications of UAP.
