Almost FOUR MILLION files wiped after Donald Trump ordered release of UFO documents

Mr Greenewald said several server directories had their permissions, safeguards and file ownership logs changed without explanation.

The Black Vault has long served as a repository for government material obtained through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

The site organises documents on previously undisclosed programmes and incidents, including long-running claims that the US recovered and studied alien technology.

Mr Greenewald has submitted more than 11,000 FOIA requests over nearly 30 years, securing records dating back to the alleged 1947 UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico.

He has also published material relating to secret task forces of senior military and scientific officials established to examine UFO sightings, including the alleged Majestic 12 (MJ-12) group.

The timing of the wipe came shortly after Mr Trump announced he had instructed the Pentagon and other agencies to release documents concerning “alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs)”.

Mr Greenewald said he did not believe foul play was involved but described the timing as “truly bizarre”.

After speaking to his hosting provider, he added that he could not fully rule it out, as he had been told the incident was “a deletion, not corruption”.

He said: “In my honest opinion, I feel it was a very oddly timed server maintenance done by the hosting provider, that went awry.

“They didn't catch it, and when I did, they didn't take blame and there was no way to fully prove what happened, and by whom.”

The order to release alien-related files followed comments by former President Barack Obama, who discussed the topic in an interview with Brian Tyler Cohen.

Mr Trump later claimed the 44th president had revealed “classified information” before his own announcement on Truth Social.

Mr Greenewald was ultimately able to restore the site using backups, though he encouraged users to report any issues when accessing files.

Data wipes can occur without malicious interference, most commonly during routine server maintenance or system updates.

Hardware faults can also result in data loss, although the site’s hosting provider reportedly ruled out corruption in this instance.

The ufologist said the incident was a "stark reminder" to keep backups.

"And never be intimidated by anything that comes our way, no matter what we expect may have happened," Mr Greenewald added.

Mr Trump has previously hinted that he possesses deeper knowledge about UFOs and the possible existence of alien life.

During his first term, he told his son Don Trump Jr in an interview that he had heard “very interesting things” about the Roswell incident, but declined to elaborate.