President Barack Obama outlined several points of Middle East policy goals before the United Nations Tuesday. Twenty-six years ago, America’s 40th president brought science fiction to the same podium.

During a speech before the United Nations in 1987, President Ronald Reagan spoke longingly for the world unity that would happen if aliens invaded Earth.

He said:

“Perhaps we need some outside universal threat to make us recognize this common bond. I occasionally think how quickly our differences worldwide would vanish if we were facing an alien threat from outside this world.”

“Ronald Reagan, wishing an alien invasion on Earth because of the kumbaya effect it would have on relations among nations,” said Rachel Maddow on her show Monday night. “One of the truly weirdest things he ever said in public.”

Watch the full clip in the video player above.