Trump Names Controversial UFO Expert to Lead New Advisory Council

WHO:

CBS News - Avi Loeb, a Harvard astronomer, will lead a White House scientific advisory council on UFOs.

Alternet - Dr. Avi Loeb, a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and astronomer, was appointed by President Trump.

Alternet - Dr. Ethan Siegel, an astrophysicist and science writer, criticized Loeb's work.

Alternet - Dr. Franck Marchis, CEO of the SETI Institute, provided mixed feedback on Loeb's appointment.

WHAT:

CBS News - The advisory council will investigate UFOs and their potential national security threats.

Alternet - Loeb's team consists of 15 scientists with expertise in various fields, including oceanography and psychology.

Alternet - Loeb's team submitted a request for more than 50 items of information on specific incidents related to UFOs.

Alternet - Loeb expressed excitement about his appointment, stating he feels "like a kid in a candy store."

WHERE:

Alternet - The advisory council will provide scientific advice to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the White House, the FBI, and the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office.

WHEN:

Alternet - Loeb examined materials released on June 12th of this year.

WHY:

Alternet - The Trump administration reached out to Loeb for advice, indicating a need for scientific input on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP).

Alternet - Loeb believes that the discovery of non-human-made technological objects could have significant implications for humanity.

HOW:

Alternet - Loeb's team will analyze only unclassified information to ensure transparency in their findings.

Alternet - Loeb plans to apply the scientific method to his directives, starting with a review of shared information.

(UPDATED July 1, 2026 15:54 UTC)

Avi Loeb, a Harvard astronomer and theoretical physicist, has been appointed by Trump to lead a White House scientific advisory council focused on investigating UFOs and their potential national security threats. The council, which includes 15 scientists from various fields, will analyze unclassified information and has already requested over 50 specific items related to UFO incidents. Loeb expressed his excitement about the role, stating he feels "like a kid in a candy store," as he prepares to apply the scientific method to this important inquiry.