Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) had a close encounter of the skeptical kind after Donald Trump’s UFO announcement.

The president wrote on his Truth Social platform on Thursday:

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!

While the announcement thrilled parts of Trump’s MAGA base hoping for long-awaited proof of extraterrestrials, Massie suggested it was simply a distraction from the administration’s handling of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was once a close associate of Trump.

“They’ve deployed the ultimate weapon of mass distraction,” Massie wrote on X, adding: “But the Epstein files aren’t going away… even for aliens.”

They’ve deployed the ultimate weapon of mass distraction, but the Epstein files aren’t going away… even for aliens. https://t.co/u050EhKkMm

Massie has repeatedly pushed for the release of the Epstein files — drawing Trump’s ire in the process.

The Republican congressman has referred to the powerful and wealthy figures named in the documents as the “Epstein class” and previously labeled Trump’s White House “the Epstein administration.”

Trump campaigned on releasing the files but has since dismissed the controversy as a “Democrat hoax.” The documents mention Trump numerous times but do not accuse him of criminal wrongdoing. He has denied any misconduct.

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