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In an unprecedented move, Melania Trump’s documentary is set to hit theaters amid political turmoil, offering a rare glimpse into the typically private first lady’s world as tensions erupt across the nation.
“Melania,” the 104-minute film produced by Amazon MGM Studios, will begin screening in theaters on January 30, including at 14 Cineplex locations across Canada and 16 Landmark Cinemas screens before eventually streaming on Amazon Prime. The documentary follows Mrs. Trump during the 20 days leading to her husband’s January 2025 inauguration.
The timing could hardly be more contentious. As violent clashes between ICE agents and protesters unfold in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by ICE agents, Mrs. Trump has called for unity. “I know my husband, the president, had a great call yesterday with the governor and the mayor, and they’re working together to make it peaceful and without riots,” she told Fox News on January 27, a day before ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange to promote her film.
The documentary represents a significant financial investment, with reports indicating Amazon struck a $40 million deal with the first lady and spent an additional $35 million on marketing. Directed by Brett Ratner of “Rush Hour” fame, whose Hollywood career stalled in 2017 after sexual misconduct allegations from six women including actresses Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge, the production appears to signal Ratner’s industry rehabilitation. According to the Los Angeles Times, President Trump personally urged Paramount owner Larry Ellison to revive the stalled “Rush Hour” franchise, with Ratner now scheduled to direct its fourth installment.
Crew members who worked on the documentary told Rolling Stone the production was “highly disorganized, very chaotic,” with staff sometimes left stranded after filming sessions on the Trump Organization’s Boeing 757. They added that Ratner “was the worst part of working on this project,” reportedly ignoring crew members throughout production.
A black-tie preview screening at the White House last Saturday drew an eclectic guest list including Queen Rania of Jordan, Apple CEO Tim Cook, boxer Mike Tyson, self-help guru Tony Robbins, and German fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth, who shot the film’s poster.
The trailer depicts a more vocal and visibly engaged Melania than the public typically sees, showing her plotting her image while smiling with her son Barron and with Queen Rania on a plane. As executive producer, Mrs. Trump follows a common practice among celebrities producing documentaries about themselves—including the Beckhams and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex—by maintaining creative control.
Melania’s relationship with the fashion world has evolved significantly since her husband first took office. During Trump’s first term, American designers like Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, and Zac Posen publicly refused to dress her, while Ralph Lauren faced boycotts after she wore a Jackie Kennedy-inspired pale blue ensemble from his brand at the 2017 inauguration. Undeterred, she continued wearing high-end European designs from houses like Dior, Givenchy, and Valentino.
By the 2025 inauguration, depicted as the documentary’s climax, parts of the fashion industry had seemingly shifted alongside media and tech billionaires who attended the ceremony. For the event, she wore a much-discussed Eric Javits hat positioned low over her eyes paired with a navy coat by American designer Adam Lippes, followed by a geometric black-and-white striped gown designed by longtime stylist Hervé Pierre for the evening celebrations.
Throughout her time in the public eye, Melania has carefully controlled her image, rarely speaking while occasionally sending coded messages through her clothing choices. Notable examples include the controversial “I Really Don’t Care. Do U?” Zara jacket worn during a 2018 visit to detained migrant children and a colonial pith helmet worn during an African tour.
“The glamour quotient of the trailer may signal an effort to carve out more of her celebrity identity prior to her role as first lady; to have that define her,” explains Justin Rawlins, a media studies professor at Ontario Tech University. He adds that documentaries involving celebrities typically “attempt to both humanize and mythologize” their subjects.
Given the current administration’s use of enhanced imagery across channels to project strength and power—including AI-generated fantasy images shared on official White House channels—critics urge viewers to approach the documentary with a critical eye. “I think audiences are generally aware these days that any documentary’s claims to objectivity should be scrutinized—unless the film’s message supports the beliefs that audience already holds,” Rawlins notes.
With Amazon’s financial backing and significant theatrical distribution, “Melania” represents a formidable display of cultural power that arrives at a moment when political tensions have reached a fever pitch. Whether audiences embrace this carefully crafted narrative remains to be seen.
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11 Comments
This documentary on Melania Trump seems like a rather biased attempt to portray her in a favorable light during a tumultuous political time. While I appreciate gaining insights into the first lady’s perspective, the timing and reported investment raise questions about the objectivity of the project.
I agree, the timing of the release amid ongoing political tensions is concerning. It’s important to approach this documentary with a critical eye and not simply accept it as an unbiased portrayal.
I’m intrigued by the prospect of gaining insights into Melania Trump’s perspective, but the reported $40 million investment and the timing of the release during a politically charged period raise concerns about the film’s objectivity. It will be important to approach this documentary with a critical eye.
I’m curious to see how this documentary portrays Melania Trump and whether it provides any new or insightful information about her role as first lady. The reported $40 million investment suggests it may be more about image-building than objective reporting.
Agreed. The high production value and timing of the release make me skeptical about the film’s true intentions. I’ll be interested to see how critics and the public receive it.
Interesting that the film is being released so close to President Trump’s potential 2025 inauguration. I wonder if it’s an attempt to rehabilitate Melania’s image ahead of a potential second term. The reported $40 million investment is quite substantial.
Yes, the financial investment does suggest this is more than just a simple documentary. It will be important to see how the film is received and whether it is viewed as objective or as overt political propaganda.
The documentary’s release during a period of unrest and political division raises concerns about its intent. While I’m interested in learning more about the first lady’s perspective, the timing and production value make me question whether this is a genuine attempt at transparency or a calculated PR move.
This documentary on Melania Trump seems like a curious move, coming at such a politically charged time. While I’m interested in learning more about the first lady, the reported $40 million price tag and the timing of the release raise questions about the film’s objectivity and purpose.
The reported $40 million investment in this Melania Trump documentary is quite substantial. I wonder if this is more about image rehabilitation than a genuine attempt at transparency. The timing of the release, amid ongoing political tensions, also gives me pause.
Agreed. The high production value and strategic timing of the release suggest this may be more of a political move than a balanced documentary. It will be important to view the film critically.