US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind US First Lady Melania Trump’s upcoming documentary, taking to X to promote ‘Melania’ and encourage Americans to see the film as it heads into cinemas.
In a post shared on X on Monday, Trump praised the project and urged the public to secure tickets early, writing: “MELANIA, the Movie, is a MUST WATCH. Get your tickets today — Selling out, FAST!”He accompanied the post with a photo of himself alongside First Lady Melania Trump.
The documentary, titled Melania, focuses on the First Lady’s life and her transition back into the role ahead of Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration. Co-produced and directed by Brett Ratner, the film documents Melania Trump over the 20 days leading up to her husband’s swearing in, offering a behind the scenes look at her preparation for another term in the White House.
According to people familiar with the project, Amazon MGM Studios has invested heavily in the release, with about $35 million reportedly spent on marketing the film across television, billboards, subways, buses and major landmarks, alongside a roughly $40 million licensing deal with the First Lady.
Trump’s agent and senior adviser, Marc Beckman, described Melania’s involvement in the production, saying: “After I structured the record breaking deal for her with Amazon, she got to work.”
He added: “She was involved in the production, the postproduction, all of the ad campaign, the trailer. … And when I say involved, I mean she’s not just approving. She built that trailer. She created the cliffhanger, she selected the music. Same thing with the ad campaign that we’re seeing worldwide now in almost 30 countries.”
Observers say the size of the investment reflects Amazon’s confidence in the project. Documentary filmmaker Stefano Da Frè told CNN that Amazon’s approach is driven by data, noting: “Amazon is a data driven company. With all their tools, all their AI, Amazon Web Services, they didn’t just come up with that number randomly. They believe, through their metrics, that it’s worth that amount.”
Ahead of the release, the Trumps hosted a private screening at the White House East Room for close friends and family. Melania Trump has also increased her public appearances, including plans to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange and attend a red carpet screening at the Kennedy Center.
The documentary is expected to debut in theatres before moving to streaming, though its online release date has not yet been announced. Media analysts are watching closely to see whether Melania Trump can draw audiences back to cinemas at a time when theaters continue to struggle for attendance.
In the film’s trailer, the First Lady acknowledges the public curiosity surrounding her life, saying in a voiceover: “Everyone wants to know. So here it is.”
Amazon MGM Studios, responding to questions about the partnership, said: “We licensed the film for one reason and one reason only, because we think customers are going to love it.”
Directed by Brett Ratner, Melania marks the filmmaker’s first major project in years and is being positioned as both a political and cultural moment, with Donald Trump’s public endorsement on X now pushing the documentary further into the spotlight.
Ademide Adebayo
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