Trump vows to declassify Amelia Earhart files after nearly 90-year aviation mystery
President says he will order the release of all government records related to Earhart's final flight and disappearance.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday he will declassify and release all government records related to Amelia Earhart, the aviation pioneer who disappeared during a 1937 round-the-world flight nearly 90 years ago. In a Truth Social post, Trump said he has been asked about Earhart and her final flight, writing: "Amelia made it almost three-quarters of the way around the world before she suddenly, and without notice, vanished—never to be seen again. Her disappearance, almost 90 years ago, has captivated millions. I am ordering my Administration to declassify and release all government records related to Amelia Earhart, her final trip, and everything else about her."
Researchers have long sought answers about Earhart's disappearance over the Pacific during her global circumnavigation attempt. The case has given rise to a lasting set of theories, ranging from possible crash sites to postflight sightings. The new vow from Trump comes as questions about declassification of historical records have periodically surfaced in U.S. politics.
Kimberlyn King-Hinds, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ delegate to the House of Representatives, wrote to Trump in July urging declassification, arguing that it would illuminate the life of one of America’s most revered aviators and help settle the final chapter of Earhart’s journey. In her letter, she framed the issue as a matter of clarity for her constituents and the nation: "In pursuing clarity for my constituents, I have become aware that the U.S. government may still hold documents or records related to Earhart’s journey and final whereabouts that have not yet been made public. Should such records exist, their release would contribute meaningfully to our understanding of one of America’s most revered aviators and could finally shed light on the final chapter of her remarkable life." "A national icon, Amelia Earhart embodied America’s courage, determination, and pioneering spirit," she added. "Yet the mystery surrounding her final flight continues to generate debate and speculation nearly ninety years later."
Trump has previously signaled a willingness to release historical records, a stance that aligns with his past actions in office. Since taking office, he has declassified documents related to the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr., moves that drew attention to ongoing debates about transparency and archival access.
The White House has not provided a timeline for Earhart’s records, and it remains unclear how many documents exist, what they might reveal, or which agencies would be involved in any declassification review. Declassification of historical materials can be a lengthy process, often involving extensive redactions and careful coordination among multiple agencies to protect national security, intelligence sources, and personnel privacy. Analysts note that even when records are released, they may not always deliver definitive answers and can instead shift the understanding of a long-standing mystery.
The Earhart case has persisted in public fascination and scholarly inquiry for decades. Historians and researchers have pursued archived flight logs, radio transmissions, meteorological data, and search-and-rescue reports to piece together what happened in 1937 as Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, attempted to complete a globe-spanning voyage. While new declassified material could illuminate certain aspects of her final hours, experts caution that the absence of a confirmed discovery would still leave questions unanswered. The potential release, however, could provide fresh primary sources for historians and perhaps recalibrate decades of speculation about Earhart’s fate.
For now, the announcement stands as a symbolic bridge between historic archival work and contemporary political considerations. It underscores how U.S. government transparency efforts can intersect with national memory and public interest in a figure who helped redefine aviation and women’s roles in science and exploration. Whether any substantive surprises emerge remains to be seen, but the prospect of new documents about Earhart’s final journey marks a notable moment in the ongoing dialogue over what the government should reveal under executive and congressional oversight.
