John Podesta has disputed David Grusch's characterization of a 2016 UFO discussion, while acknowledging that a conference call took place. In an on-record email published by PARADIGM, the former White House chief of staff said Tom DeLonge arranged the call with retired Air Force General Neil McCasland and Lockheed Martin executive Robert Weiss.
Grusch had told Joe Rogan that Podesta authorized an effort to prepare society for UFO revelations through DeLonge's project and advisers. Podesta instead recalled discussing declassification of Defense Department files and reducing the stigma attached to professionals studying UAP. He said he believed Americans could handle the truth without such preparation.
The response adds a participant's account to a discussion previously known through emails from the 2016 campaign period. It does not establish a government disclosure program, recovered technology or non-human origins. The disagreement concerns the purpose of the conversation, not independently verified evidence for Grusch's broader allegations.