As someone who always anticipates a Steven Spielberg picture, Disclosure Day’s first reactions practically send me to the moon. While accurate, that statement is also a punny tease towards something I’m surprised I didn’t previously spot in the marketing for Emily Blunt/Josh O’Connor starring sci-fi epic.
Thanks to eagle eyed commentary, I now have another reason to impatiently wait for my screening. And it’s all thanks to an urban legend my dear old dad, a fellow fan of Spielberg and sci-fi, shared with me years ago. Brace yourselves, as while my previous Disclosure Day theoriesmay seem wild, the true story that inspires what you’re about to read is even crazier. But also, a story of true urban legend – so prepare some salt to go with what we’re about to discuss.
Wait, Richard Nixon And Jackie Gleason Are In Disclosure Day’s Final Trailer?
Yes, you read that correctly. The 37th president of the United States, and the beloved star of The Honeymooners and Smokey and the Bandit are now characters in a 2026 sci-fi blockbuster. That occurrence comes straight out of the final trailer for Disclosure Day – in a frame of CCTV footage shown with select scenes of action and awe.
As you’ll see in the screenshot included below, the scene is dated February 1973; with busy workers at the Homestead Morgue site opening some drawers. Presumably containing alien bodies, two men in the top right corner of the shot are somewhat obscured. But looking at their clothes, one can make an educated guess that this is Richard Nixon and Jackie Gleason touring this facility.
Which probably has you dear readers questioning why this is such a big deal? Well, for me and many others, it shows how deep in the paint Steven Spielberg is with UFO lore. And that’s because, according to a widely circulated urban legend, this seemingly fictional creation is actually a true story.
The Urban Legend Behind Richard Nixon And Jackie Gleason’s Big UFO Story
Tying brilliantly into Disclosure Day’s story of revealing UFO truths to the world, the allegations of Richard Nixon and Jackie Gleason come from decades of retelling the same basic story. One night, before the end of his presidential tenure, President Nixon took his TV icon friend to see proof of extraterrestrial visitation.
The supposed result shook Jackie Gleason so deeply to his core, he didn’t eat or do anything for several days. If that’s not a moment begging for a classic Steven Spielberg shot of a disheveled sitting in half darkness, illuminated from behind by a glaring, paranoid light, I don’t know what is.
You can learn more background on this tale, courtesy of The Shawn Ryan Show’s 2024 interview with retired Navy Admiral Tim Gallaudet:
I wouldn’t be a responsible journalist if I didn’t once again reinforce the fact that the story of Richard Nixon and Jackie Gleason’s UFO moment is pure speculation. But considering how close we seem to a real-life Disclosure Day event, would it surprise anyone if it was confirmed? By including this often told, but still somewhat under the radar urban legend into his latest sci-fi saga, I’m even more impressed by Steven Spielberg’s deep knowledge of the search for “the truth.”
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to obsess a little more over potential Disclosure Day theories; as I wait for its June 12th release date. For those of you who want to hunt the truth surrounding the latest and greatest in pop culture, don’t watch the skies. Just keep a browser tab set to THS’ Movie News Archives, and keep an open mind.
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