Ronald Reagan Quote About Aliens

The Story and Its Context

The claim centers on a private screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), a science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg, which depicts humans making peaceful contact with extraterrestrials at Devils Tower, Wyoming. According to the story, President Ronald Reagan, who served from 1981 to 1989, hosted or attended a screening of the film at the White House or another venue, possibly in 1982. After the film, Reagan allegedly made a cryptic remark to Spielberg, saying, “You don’t know how true this really is,” or a similar variation, implying that the U.S. government had knowledge of real extraterrestrial contact akin to the movie’s plot.

This story is often cited in UFO literature and online discussions to suggest that Close Encounters was inspired by or inadvertently mirrored classified programs, such as Project Serpo, which claims a human-alien exchange program occurred between 1965 and 1978. The story’s appeal lies in its implication that Reagan, a high-level official, was privy to UFO secrets and let slip a hint to Spielberg, a prominent filmmaker.

Origins of the Story

The Reagan-Spielberg anecdote appears to have originated in the UFO and conspiracy communities, gaining traction in the 1980s and 1990s as interest in government cover-ups grew. Specific sources attribute its earliest mentions to:

• Shirley MacLaine’s Account: Actress and New Age author Shirley MacLaine is frequently credited with popularizing the story. In her 1987 book It’s All in the Playing, MacLaine recounts a conversation with Steven Spielberg, who reportedly told her about the Reagan remark. According to MacLaine, Spielberg shared that Reagan made the comment after a White House screening, suggesting the film’s depiction of alien contact was closer to reality than Spielberg realized. MacLaine’s book, while influential in UFO circles, lacks corroborating details, and her reputation for esoteric beliefs has led skeptics to question her reliability.
• UFO Literature and Forums: The anecdote spread through UFO books, magazines, and early internet forums. For example, websites like Biblioteca Pleyades and UFOsAbout.com reference the story, often linking it to Project Serpo or MJ-12 (a purported UFO oversight committee). These sources typically cite MacLaine or anecdotal “insider” accounts without primary evidence. The story also appeared in discussions on AboveTopSecret.com, where users speculated about its connection to Reagan’s interest in UFOs.
• Len Kasten’s Book: In Secret Journey to Planet Serpo (2013), author Len Kasten mentions the Reagan-Spielberg anecdote as evidence that Close Encounters was inspired by Serpo. Kasten suggests the film’s narrative of humans boarding an alien craft for an exchange mirrors the alleged Serpo mission, and Reagan’s comment hints at classified knowledge. However, Kasten provides no new evidence, relying on MacLaine’s account and UFO lore.

Broader Context and Reagan’s UFO Remarks

The anecdote gains traction due to Reagan’s documented UFO interest and other cryptic remarks. Beyond his UN speech, Reagan reportedly told Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985 that humanity would unite against an alien invasion, per declassified State Department records. His wife, Nancy Reagan, also noted in her memoirs (My Turn, 1989) that Ronald was fascinated by sci-fi and UFO stories. These instances, while intriguing, are not evidence of the Spielberg encounter, but they explain why UFO enthusiasts view Reagan as a figure likely to make such a comment.

The story also reflects a broader cultural phenomenon: the blending of Hollywood and UFO conspiracies. Films like Close Encounters and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), another Spielberg project, shaped public perceptions of aliens, prompting speculation about government influence on cinema. The Reagan anecdote fits this narrative, suggesting Hollywood was used to acclimate the public to extraterrestrial contact.

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It's an interesting piece to the UFO puzzle, but obviously difficult or impossible to prove. But would it actually surprise anyoen if it were true?

Citations

MacLaine, S. (1987) It’s All in the Playing Bantam Books

Kasten, L. (2013) Secret Journey to Planet Serpo: A True Story of Interplanetary Travel Bear & Company