August 23, 2024 • 2hr 21min

#2194 - Luis Elizondo

The Joe Rogan Experience

Luis "Lue" Elizondo is the former director of the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), which investigated UFOs, now referred to as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). In this wide-ranging 3-hour conversation, Elizondo discusses his work investigating UAPs for the government, compelling evidence and incidents, theories about the nature and origins of these phenomena, and his views on the importance of government disclosure to the public.

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Key Takeaways

Luis Elizondo ran the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) which investigated UFOs/UAPs
There are hundreds of compelling military videos and reports of UAPs beyond just the publicly released ones
UAPs demonstrate capabilities far beyond known human technology, like hypersonic speeds with no visible propulsion
The government has "very compelling evidence" of exotic materials "not made by humans" in its possession
UAP sightings and encounters go back decades, including incidents from the 1950s
Some in government want disclosure, while others still resist releasing information
Elizondo believes the public deserves to know the truth about UAPs
The implications go beyond just national security to philosophical and societal impacts

Introduction

Luis "Lue" Elizondo is the former director of the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), which investigated UFOs, now referred to as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). In this wide-ranging 3-hour conversation, Elizondo discusses his work investigating UAPs for the government, compelling evidence and incidents, theories about the nature and origins of these phenomena, and his views on the importance of government disclosure to the public.

Topics Discussed

Elizondo's Background and Introduction to UAP Topic (6:41)

Elizondo explains how he was approached in 2008 to run the counterintelligence and security aspects of a classified program, which turned out to be focused on investigating UFOs/UAPs. He initially had no particular interest in or knowledge of the UFO topic. His first major realization that this was a serious issue came after attending a dinner with a Brazilian general who presented compelling evidence of a major UFO incident in Brazil.

Elizondo had a background in counterintelligence and protecting critical aerospace technologies
He was initially skeptical and unfamiliar with UFO topics when recruited
A dinner with a Brazilian general presenting UFO evidence was an eye-opening moment

Compelling Military Evidence of UAPs (15:52)

Elizondo describes the types of compelling evidence of UAPs encountered by the military, including radar data, electro-optical data, and eyewitness accounts from trained observers. He emphasizes there are hundreds of classified videos beyond just the few publicly released ones.

Multiple sensor systems often corroborate UAP incidents (radar, video, eyewitnesses)
UAPs demonstrate capabilities far beyond known human technology
There are hundreds of classified military videos of compelling UAP incidents

"Those [publicly released videos] are the least compelling of all the videos that the government has. Those were unclassified, and so those were the ones...those were kind of the low hanging fruit that could be released to the general public. There's stuff out there that's like 4k ultra high definition."

Notable UAP Incidents (31:54)

Elizondo recounts several notable UAP incidents reported by military personnel, including:

A massive underwater object larger than a submarine moving at hundreds of knots
A huge round black object emerging from the ocean that pulled down a missile
UAPs splitting formations of military aircraft
Objects demonstrating "trans-medium" travel between air and water

"There is a video that shows one of these objects underwater that goes by. The speed was calculated between 450 and 550 knots underwater. And it was bigger than the offshore derrick that it was passing."

Government Possession of Exotic Materials (55:18)

While unable to provide specifics, Elizondo states there is compelling evidence the government possesses exotic materials not made by humans:

"There is very compelling evidence to suggest that the US government is in absolute possession of exotic material that is not made by humans."

Historical UFO/UAP Reports (1:26:54)

Elizondo presents declassified government documents from the 1950s showing serious official concern about UFOs over sensitive military installations, countering the idea this is only a recent phenomenon:

1950 Air Force memo describes frequent unexplained aerial phenomena over New Mexico
1952 FBI memo about "flying discs" seen over nuclear facilities
Historical cases show UAPs far exceeded human technological capabilities of the time

Theories on UAP Origins and Nature (1:41:47)

Elizondo discusses various theories about the nature and origins of UAPs, while emphasizing we don't know for certain:

Could be extraterrestrial, interdimensional, or from "inner space"
May utilize technology to manipulate gravity/spacetime
Possibly been present on Earth for a very long time
Could be non-biological entities or AI

"I don't know where they're from. I just know that they're here. And could they be from outer space? Sure. They can be from inner space or even the space in between."

Government Secrecy and Disclosure (1:56:38)

Elizondo argues strongly for government transparency and disclosure on the UAP topic:

Some in government want disclosure, others still resist it
Public has a right to know; democracy requires transparency
Secrecy may have been justified in the past but is no longer tenable
Disclosure should come with "truth and reconciliation" - not punishment

"I think America can handle the truth. I think America does deserve the truth. And let the American people decide if it's in their best interest."

Broader Implications (2:04:07)

The conversation explores potential broader implications of the UAP phenomenon:

Challenges to our understanding of physics and reality
Philosophical and religious implications
Potential insights into consciousness and the nature of the soul
How disclosure could impact society and human progress

"We're at a point now, as a species where we probably should be having these conversations...There is definitely a national security conversation here. But the conversation we're having, as you can tell, is far beyond national security, right? We're talking philosophical, psychological, sociological, theological implications."

Conclusion

Elizondo makes a passionate case for the reality and significance of the UAP phenomenon, based on his inside knowledge of classified government investigations. He argues strongly for public disclosure, seeing it as vital for democracy and human progress. While emphasizing there is still much unknown about the nature and origins of UAPs, Elizondo believes the evidence clearly shows we are dealing with a real, non-human technology far beyond current human capabilities. He sees the implications as profound, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of physics, consciousness, and humanity's place in the cosmos.