Hollywood’s elitist critics got a reality check when First Lady Melania Trump’s documentary defied their scathing reviews to pull in unexpectedly strong box-office numbers, proving once again that everyday Americans reject the left’s narrative spin.
Story Snapshot
- Melania Trump’s documentary opened with $7 million in ticket sales, shocking Hollywood press who expected it to fail after overwhelmingly negative reviews.
- Amazon paid a record-breaking $40 million for the film, giving Melania unprecedented editorial control over the project chronicling her pre-inauguration activities.
- Critics labeled the documentary as propaganda while ethics watchdogs questioned the deal’s timing, yet audiences showed up despite the media’s dismissal.
- The film premiered at Kennedy Center with Cabinet members and Congress attendees before releasing in 2,000 U.S. theaters on January 30, 2026.
Record-Breaking Documentary Deal Defies Hollywood Norms
Amazon MGM Studios secured the Melania documentary for an unprecedented $40 million in 2025, marking the highest acquisition price ever paid for a documentary film. The deal emerged from a competitive bidding war involving Disney, Netflix, and Paramount, with Amazon’s offer more than doubling Disney’s $14 million proposal. First Lady Melania Trump maintained complete editorial control throughout production, personally overseeing editing, music selection, and promotional strategies. The agreement mandated a theatrical release before streaming availability, breaking traditional norms for documentary distribution and setting a new precedent for political figure-focused films during active White House tenure.
Strong Ticket Sales Contradict Critical Reception
The documentary grossed $7 million during its opening weekend despite facing uniformly negative reviews from mainstream film critics who dismissed it as pro-Trump propaganda. Director Brett Ratner downplayed box-office expectations at the premiere, stating the film was “definitely not by box office” measured but rather “a document more than documentary.” The performance exceeded industry projections for documentary openings, particularly impressive given competition from major releases like Send Help at $20 million and Iron Lung at $17.9 million. Hollywood press characterized the debut as “face-saving” and noted it “over-performed” expectations, revealing disconnect between coastal critics and American audiences willing to see behind-the-scenes White House access.
Unprecedented Access Draws Bipartisan Attention
The film chronicles 20 days of Melania Trump’s activities leading to President Trump’s second inauguration, offering unprecedented access to a sitting First Lady’s daily life. Filming began in December 2024 at Mar-a-Lago, with Trump personally involved in production decisions alongside director Brett Ratner, who returned to filmmaking after career hiatus following 2017 allegations. The January 29, 2026 premiere attracted over 2,000 attendees across the Kennedy Center and 20 additional cities, including high-profile guests like Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Cabinet members. Supporters praised the “inspiring chronicle” providing authentic glimpses into Trump’s role, while detractors raised ethics concerns about potential influence-buying through the massive financial deal.
Ethics Questions Surround Timing and Financial Arrangements
Former Office of Government Ethics official Don Fox questioned whether the $40 million deal constituted an attempt to “curry favor” with the incoming administration, with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel calling it a “$75 million bribe” when including docuseries rights. Ethics watchdog Ted Hope described it as the “most expensive documentary” and stated it was “hard not to see as bribe” given its timing around inauguration. Melania Trump personally earned $28 million from the arrangement, raising questions about financial conflicts of interest unprecedented for sitting presidential family members. No previous First Lady has participated in such commercial media ventures while serving in office, as presidential families traditionally avoid in-office productions to prevent ethics violations and appearance of impropriety concerns that undermine public trust.
The documentary’s theatrical run continues with streaming release expected three to four weeks after theatrical debut, while a companion docuseries remains in development. Conservative audiences demonstrated their appetite for authentic content showcasing the Trump family, rejecting Hollywood’s predetermined narrative that the film would fail commercially despite critical panning from predictably biased reviewers.
Sources:
‘Melania,’ panned by some film critics, opens with strong ticket sales for a documentary – Politico
