The True Story Behind Trainwreck: Storm Area 51

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In the final episode of Netflix’s series, Trainwreck (2025), the focus shifts to an impending disaster that was fortunately prevented.

On the 29th of July, the documentary titled “Trainwreck: Storm Area 51” delves into the events that unfolded when UFO conspiracy enthusiasts congregated at a secure military facility in Nevada’s desert, believing it to be the site where the government was conducting clandestine UFO studies.

The idea for these events was sparked by a humorous Facebook post titled “Storm Area 51,” which Matty Roberts of Bakersfield, California, had created on September 20, 2019, at 3 a.m. Initially, he hadn’t anticipated the massive response it would generate. However, the event amassed millions of RSVPs and threatened to cause chaos in the small town of Rachel, Nevada (population 56). In reality, only a handful of people actually attended the event at Area 51, while over 10,000 people flocked to a parallel celebration in Las Vegas. Despite initial concerns, both events were ultimately deemed successful as no one was harmed and everyone had a good time.

Let’s explore the origin behind the multitude of memes generated by ‘Storm Area 51’ event and uncover the real events that took place at Area 51 on September 20, 2019.

What is Area 51?

Area 51 is a classified testing facility for the U.S. Air Force, built in 1955.

According to Annie Jacobsen, author of “Area 51: An Unveiled History of America’s Highly Classified Military Installation,” she explained to CNN that Area 51 has been instrumental in the creation and experimentation of U-2 spy planes, which people have frequently confused with UFOs due to their secretive nature.

As a history enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the enigmatic bases that were shrouded in secrecy during the Cold War era. It wasn’t until 2013, during one of his humorous speeches at the Kennedy Center, that President Barack Obama casually revealed the existence of this clandestine site, a moment that sent ripples through the world of military history.

How ‘Storm Area 51’ went viral

At the age of 20, Roberts resided in Bakersfield, California and held a job at a mall. A chance encounter with Joe Rogan’s interview featuring an individual from Area 51 sparked his curiosity. He pondered over the question: could it be that the government is concealing something behind the intense security surrounding Area 51?

He possessed a Facebook profile boasting around 40 followers, where he shared memes, satire, and assorted musings. On a restless night beset by insomnia, he crafted a public Facebook event titled “Storm Area 51” for 3 a.m., three months down the line, with the catchphrase “Together we are unstoppable.

In the documentary, Roberts casually mentions, “The thought struck me as incredibly amusing. I never imagined it would gain any traction.

The following day saw thousands responding affirmatively to the event invitation. In less than a month, the figure soared to over a million confirmations of attendance, and people were creating amusing memes related to aliens for the occasion. Roberts found himself enjoying the limelight during television interviews, as he explained that he had initially conceived it as a jest while playing video games.

Roberts remarks in the documentary, “It seemed as if I were just a step away from renown, all that was needed was a simple knock on the door.

In an effort to transform a Facebook event into a full-fledged festival near Rachel, which is the closest town to Area 51, Roberts sought assistance from a promoter named Disco Donnie. This event became known as “Alienstock,” inspired by the iconic 1969 Woodstock music festival. However, due to the challenging circumstances—the entire area around Area 51 being desert with no infrastructure—it was more like an impossible mission; everything would have to be transported in.

Roberts found the logistics too complicated, so he expressed it as “I don’t want my name linked to a potential disaster like Fyre Fest 2.0.” Instead, he and Disco Donnie decided to organize an “Area 51 celebration” in Las Vegas, leaving any planning in the Rachel area for local business owners who felt frustrated and neglected due to being left out.

But many people did show up in the Rachel, Nevada, area on Sep. 20, 2019. 

The scene at Area 51

Leading up to the event, popular YouTubers decided to follow the employee bus heading towards Area 51, broadcasting the spectacle on their channels. The military reportedly spent approximately $11 million on security measures, making this the largest defensive operation in the base’s history.

At 3 a.m., authorities anticipated a rush of people heading towards the base. Instead, the crowd ran in that direction but stopped short at the gate and started taking pictures. In total, only a few hundred people (far less than the expected 3.5 million) gathered in the Rachel area for an excuse to dance, dress up as alien-themed characters, and take part in festivities. Social media influencers broadcasted live coverage of the event, drawing more viewers than actual attendees. A popular quip circulated that there were more portable toilets available than people at the gathering.

In their journey towards the event, a law enforcement officer stopped a man who had several weapons in his vehicle and confiscated them. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the atmosphere at Area 51 was generally tranquil; while there was plenty of excitement, no instances of violence were reported.

The video captures an event unfolding live, featuring internet personality Unicole Unicron conducting a prayer for extraterrestrials. According to the recording, she deemed the occasion a triumph, expressing her feelings by saying, “It seemed as though the aliens were dancing along with us.

Roberts mentions in the document that the area around Area 51 appeared “quite intriguing” and shares what he initially envisioned for the event. Later, he returned to working at a mall and reflects on his brief period of fame as “the most bizarre and thrilling moment I’ve ever experienced.

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2025-07-29 14:06