Melania Trump Documentary Showcases Second White House Term Preparations in Controversial Amazon Deal

Melania Trump’s new Amazon documentary offers an unusual glimpse into the preparations for a second Trump inauguration in January 2025, conspicuously omitting much of her compelling life story. The film, simply titled “Melania,” has received an unexpected theatrical release and focuses on a 20-day period leading up to the hypothetical ceremony.

“Everyone wants to know,” Melania states in voiceover, “so here it is.” This vague introduction sets the tone for the 104-minute documentary, which devotes considerable attention to inauguration minutiae—from place setting designs to hat ribbon measurements—while offering limited personal insight.

The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner of “Rush Hour” fame, represents a significant financial investment from Amazon. Reports indicate the tech giant paid approximately $40 million for rights to the project, with $28 million going directly to Mrs. Trump. This arrangement has raised eyebrows, particularly as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos appears in footage alongside other tech executives including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Tim Cook during inauguration events.

Ratner’s involvement has itself sparked controversy. The director’s career stalled following sexual assault and harassment allegations in 2017 (which he has denied), making this project something of a comeback attempt. This context creates an uncomfortable parallel as the film shows Melania discussing her admiration for Michael Jackson, another figure who faced serious allegations during his lifetime.

Throughout the documentary, Melania presents herself with carefully crafted statements that often lack substance. She describes herself as a “mother, wife, daughter, friend,” yet is primarily depicted in formal, staged scenarios. Her interactions with international figures like Brigitte Macron and Queen Rania of Jordan appear designed to establish geopolitical credibility, but she frequently reverts to bland platitudes like “Cherish your family and loved ones.”

Notably absent is much of Melania’s fascinating background. Born Melanija Knavs in 1970s Yugoslavia (now Slovenia), she grew up in a state-run housing complex before a modeling career took her throughout Europe and eventually to the United States. This immigrant journey, which could provide compelling context, is referenced only obliquely, with Melania mentioning her “country of birth” without elaboration.

The documentary does attempt to position Melania within an immigrant narrative, featuring other foreign-born individuals serving the Trump administration, including French fashion designer Hervé Pierre and Laotian-American designer Tham Kannalikham. “Opportunities, equality,” Kannalikham remarks, “It’s really the American dream.” This carefully curated portrayal stands in stark contrast to the Trump administration’s restrictive immigration policies.

Donald Trump himself appears as a more charismatic presence on screen than his wife. In one late-night scene following the inaugural Starlight Ball, Trump announces he will immediately “begin straightening out the nation,” prompting sycophantic gratitude from staff members. During the couple’s ceremonial waltz, a singer performs “Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on”—a moment laden with symbolism as the film struggles to establish whose “truth” it actually represents.

The timing of the documentary’s release is particularly striking, arriving as America experiences significant political division. The Trumps’ opulent lifestyle, prominently displayed throughout the film, creates jarring juxtaposition with the social unrest evident across the country.

Critics have described “Melania” as a hybrid between reality television and fiction rather than genuine documentary filmmaking. With its highly composed shots and staged interactions, the film appears more as a carefully crafted piece of image management than an authentic portrayal of the former—and potentially future—First Lady’s life and perspectives.

“Melania” is currently playing in theaters, offering audiences a peculiar artifact that may ultimately reveal more about contemporary American politics and media than about its enigmatic subject.