Washington: Former first lady Melania Trump is marking the completion of her first year back in the White House with the global premiere of a documentary chronicling the final 20 days before her husband Donald Trump’s return to the presidency.
The documentary, titled “Melania”, will have its high-profile presentation at the Kennedy Center on Thursday evening, with the Trumps expected to arrive together during VIP arrivals. The film opens in theatres worldwide on Friday before becoming available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Despite serving a second term as first lady, Melania Trump has remained a largely private and enigmatic figure. The documentary offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at her personal and professional life during a pivotal political transition.
Melania Trump said the idea for the project came to her shortly after her husband’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. According to her, the film aims to give viewers an unfiltered view of what it takes to prepare for a return to the White House.
Produced by AmazonMGM Studios, the documentary reportedly cost around $40 million. It will open in approximately 1,600 theatres globally, including nearly 1,500 locations in the United States, before shifting exclusively to streaming.
Director Brett Ratner said box office numbers were not the primary measure of success.
“It’s a documentary, and documentaries historically have not been huge box office smashes,” Ratner told reporters. “A documentary cannot be expected to play like a blockbuster in theatres.”
The Kennedy Center event drew a mix of conservative commentators, political figures, and business leaders. Alina Habba, a former personal attorney to President Trump and now counsel to Attorney General Pam Bondi, described Melania Trump as “the epitome of a boss lady.”
Habba also noted the symbolism of the first lady’s appearance. “She’s very private, and it was remarkable that she allowed cameras to follow her during such a critical moment as the transition back into the administration,” she said.
According to a guest list provided by AmazonMGM Studios, attendees were expected to include Second Lady Usha Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Melania Trump said the documentary explores how she balances her role as first lady with her responsibilities as a businesswoman, wife, mother, and planner of her family’s return to the Executive Mansion.
“Everyone is curious,” she says in the trailer for the nearly two-hour film. “So here it is.”
‘Here We Go Again’
One scene in the documentary shows Melania Trump waiting to enter the Capitol Rotunda on Inauguration Day. Turning toward the camera that follows her closely, she remarks, “Here we go again.”
In her self-titled memoir released in 2024, Melania Trump wrote candidly about her preference for privacy and solitude. Her reserved public presence has shaped perceptions, especially when compared to more outspoken recent first ladies.
Public opinion remains divided. According to a January 2025 CNN poll, about four in ten US adults either had no opinion of Melania Trump or said they were unfamiliar with her. Roughly three in ten viewed her favorably, while a similar share held negative views.
Among Republicans, perceptions were notably more positive, with around seven in ten respondents expressing a favorable opinion, while nearly a quarter said they had no view.
“This appears to be an effort to refine and shape her public image,” said Katherine Sibley, a history professor at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. “Many Americans feel they don’t fully understand her.”
First Lady Highlights an ‘Impactful’ First Year
Now 55, Melania Trump said she values the traditional duties of the first lady, including hosting state dinners, organizing the annual Easter Egg Roll, and overseeing White House holiday decorations.
At the same time, she has sought to expand her influence. Her longtime senior adviser Marc Beckman said she spent extended periods away from Washington last year while working closely on every aspect of the documentary’s production.
Child welfare remains central to her agenda. She successfully advocated for the Take It Down Act, legislation that criminalizes the sharing of private images online without consent. The bill was signed into law by President Trump.
She also advanced the “Fostering the Future” initiative through an executive order, strengthening federal support for foster children under her long-running Be Best campaign.
In a lesser-known diplomatic effort, Melania Trump wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin seeking assistance in reuniting children displaced by the war in Ukraine. She later said that eight children were reunited with their families following discussions during a US–Russia meeting in Alaska.
More recently, the first lady launched a global expansion of her foster care initiative and has taken part in administration discussions on Artificial Intelligence and education policy.
At a White House Christmas reception, she revealed she is developing a new legislative proposal for 2026, though details have not yet been made public.
Documentary Raises Ethical and Industry Questions
Details about Melania Trump’s personal earnings from the documentary have not been disclosed. Experts note that it is unusual for a sitting first lady to be associated with a major commercial film project, though the Trump family has frequently defied precedent.
“She is the first first lady to be paid a substantial sum for a documentary made about her,” said Katherine Jellison, professor emerita of history at Ohio University. “It is unprecedented—but consistent with the Trumps’ approach.”
Traditionally, presidents and first ladies avoid outside commercial ventures while in office to prevent conflicts of interest. Both Donald and Melania Trump, however, maintain business portfolios.
Melania Trump markets jewelry, Christmas ornaments, and digital collectibles, while the president has promoted watches, fragrances, and branded Bibles.
The documentary also marks a notable collaboration between the Trump family and Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, who has sought to repair a previously strained relationship with the president. Amazon has declined to comment on the film’s financial arrangements.
“Melania” is director Brett Ratner’s first major project since allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced during the early days of the #MeToo movement. Ratner’s attorney has denied the accusations.
The film is co-produced by Melania Trump, Marc Beckman, and Fernando Sulichin of New Element Media. Filming began in December 2024.
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