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Trump appoints Harvard astronomer to White House UAP council

7/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump named Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb to lead a White House advisory council on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP).
The council, now operational, will assess UAP national-security risks for the United States.
Loeb’s team, retired Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet and billionaire Ben Lamm, has requested 50 UAP videos and images.
Scientists Steve Desch and Sean Kirkpatrick criticize the appointment, saying Loeb lacks experience and panel leans toward fringe theories.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump named Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb to lead a White House advisory council on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP).
The council, now operational, will assess UAP national-security risks for the United States.
Loeb’s team, retired Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet and billionaire Ben Lamm, has requested 50 UAP videos and images.
Scientists Steve Desch and Sean Kirkpatrick criticize the appointment, saying Loeb lacks experience and panel leans toward fringe theories.