American Alchemy: The Wall Street Journal Is Gaslighting You On UFOs
Host: Jesse Michaels
Episode Release Date: June 13, 2025
In this provocative episode of American Alchemy, host Jesse Michaels delves deep into the contentious relationship between mainstream media and UFO discourse, particularly targeting a recent article by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) titled "Pentagon Disinformation that Fueled America's UFO Mythology." Michaels challenges the WSJ's portrayal of UFO phenomena, arguing that the publication is perpetuating a disinformation campaign orchestrated by the Pentagon.
Wall Street Journal's UFо Narrative
Michaels begins by critiquing the Wall Street Journal for what he perceives as “really, really stupid reporting” by mainstream media, citing past examples like the Saddam Hussein WMDs and the Hunter Biden laptop story. He zeroes in on the WSJ’s recent piece, which claims that UFO sightings, particularly those involving military installations, are the result of electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) or Air Force hazing rituals.
Jesse Michaels [00:00]: “The Wall Street Journal just released an article called the Pentagon Disinformation that Fueled America's UFO mythology. That truly Cake.”
The 1967 Malmstrom Air Force Base Incident
Central to Michaels' argument is the 1967 incident at Malmstrom Air Force Base, where First Lieutenant Robert Salas reported that all 10 nuclear missiles went offline during a UFO sighting.
Jesse Michaels [01:27]: “Salas even had a colleague present named Bob Jamison who backed up his testimony on record with Larry King.”
Michaels highlights the improbability of simultaneous missile malfunctions, emphasizing that such an event cannot be easily dismissed as a technical glitch.
Robert Salas [01:59]: “[...] All 10 missiles were off alert. All 10 whole flight was off alert, all red.”
Adding weight to the account, Bob Hastings, author of UFOs and Nukes, corroborates Salas' testimony, noting that malfunctioning all missiles simultaneously is “extremely rare”.
Debunking the EMP Theory
The WSJ attributes the missile shutdown to a secret EMP experiment, suggesting that the government tested the ability to disable its own nuclear arsenal without alerting personnel. Michaels vehemently disputes this, pointing out the lack of historical evidence supporting the existence or deployment of such EMPs in the 1960s.
Jesse Michaels [06:34]: “EMPs weren't even a thing until the '70s. No documents have ever suggested that the US has ever used them against our own active nuclear weapons with people in the vicinity.”
He further criticizes the WSJ's reliance on sources like Sean Kirkpatrick, describing the EMP explanation as “an insane claim” unworthy of mainstream media support.
Additional Witnesses and Persistent UFO Encounters
Michaels broadens the discussion by citing multiple accounts of UFO sightings and interactions with military bases:
- John Mills [04:17]: Describes a “huge spheroidal, elliptical” object near Malmstrom.
- Continuous sightings in places like Fukushima, Japan, and Bariloche, Argentina, where UFOs allegedly interfere with civilian and military operations.
These testimonies, Michaels argues, form a consistent pattern that the WSJ's disinformation narrative fails to adequately address or refute.
Suppression of UFO-Related Op-Eds
Highlighting potential censorship, Michaels narrates the story of an attempted Op-Ed publication in the WSJ by Carl Nell, an army representative of the UAP Task Force and founder of Army Futures Commander. Despite backing from high-profile individuals, the Op-Ed was inexplicably blocked from publication.
Jesse Michaels [11:26]: “I even met her in person at the Wall Street Journal headquarters. I told her about my own interest in the subject. [...] She was very nice and earnest and I have no reason to believe she cares about anything but the truth.”
This suppression, Michaels suggests, indicates a “hidden UFO program” or ulterior motives within the WSJ to maintain a skeptical stance on UFO disclosures.
The Role of David Spergel and NASA's UAP Working Group
Michaels introduces Dr. David Spergel, head of the Simons Foundation and chair of NASA's UAP Working Group, questioning his involvement and motives.
David Spergel [16:39]: “It just seems quite a curious set of coincidences.”
He insinuates that Spergel's position may be part of a broader strategy to dismiss UFO phenomena as mere “space trash,” aligning with historical debunkers like Don Menzel.
Calls to Action and Legal Repercussions
Frustrated by the perceived gaslighting, Michaels proposes a class action lawsuit against the U.S. government for hazing and harassment of UFO witnesses.
Jesse Michaels [11:26]: “Every UFO witness whose career has been significantly disrupted... should be granted millions of dollars for being hazed by our own government.”
He also advocates for the UAP Disclosure Act, urging listeners to support increased civilian oversight and transparency regarding UFO-related government activities.
Conclusion and Open Invitation for Debate
Michaels wraps up by challenging debunkers and members of the WSJ to engage in a civil discourse on the matter, expressing a willingness to host debates and discussions to foster “an open and honest Socratic debate.”
Jesse Michaels [16:03]: “I'm just anti bad, lazy, debunking. And if Joel Shechtman or Sean Kirkpatrick or Susan Goff or any of these people want to come on my show or debate me in any context and discuss any of this in a civil way, I'd be happy to host them.”
He emphasizes the need for better, fact-based analysis over what he deems as superficial or disingenuous debunking efforts.
Notable Quotes:
- Jesse Michaels [02:34]: “It would have been irresponsible and unthinkable for the US Air Force to jeopardize the operational status of these weapons.”
- Jesse Michaels [09:35]: “They faked UFOs, harassed these people.”
- Robert Salas [09:08]: “My officer efficiency reports are in there.”
- David Spergel [16:39]: “It just seems quite a curious set of coincidences.”
Final Thoughts
In this episode, American Alchemy presents a compelling critique of mainstream media's approach to UFO phenomena, particularly targeting the Wall Street Journal's recent narratives. Through a combination of historical incidents, witness testimonies, and investigative journalism, Jesse Michaels advocates for greater transparency and accountability, challenging listeners to question the established narratives and seek the truth behind the UFO disclosures.