Hold onto your seats, because the documentary world just got a major shake-up! Melania Trump’s new film, 'Melania,' has stormed the box office with an $8 million opening weekend, marking the biggest documentary debut in over a decade. But here's where it gets controversial—while some are hailing it as a groundbreaking portrait of the former First Lady, others are slamming it as little more than polished propaganda. Let’s dive into the details.
In a recent interview with Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy, Melania Trump discussed the premiere of her documentary, which chronicles 20 pivotal days in her life leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. The film, directed by Brett Ratner and distributed by Amazon for a staggering $75 million, opened in 27 countries, making it the most expensive documentary ever produced. But is it worth the hype?
Despite finishing behind horror hits like Iron Lung and Send Help, Melania outperformed action blockbuster Shelter, starring Jason Statham. The audience? Primarily Americans over 55, with women in this age group making up a whopping 72% of ticket buyers. And this is the part most people miss—rural theaters accounted for 46% of the weekend’s ticket sales, an unusually high figure for any opening. Florida, Texas, and Arizona led the charge as the top ticket-selling states.
Here’s where opinions start to clash. While some viewers, like a 60-year-old Staten Island man who told The New York Times he rarely goes to the theater, bought tickets to ‘kick Hollywood’s a--,’ critics have been less kind. Variety dismissed the film as a ‘shameless infomercial,’ calling it ‘so orchestrated and airbrushed that it never comes to life.’ Meanwhile, screenings have reportedly erupted in applause during President Trump’s swearing-in, with shouts of ‘Trump 2028!’ echoing through theaters. Is this a documentary or a political rally in disguise?
The premiere in Washington, D.C., at the newly named Trump Kennedy Center, was a star-studded affair, with guests like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr. Mehmet Oz, Nicki Minaj, and former New York Mayor Eric Adams in attendance. U.S. attorney Alina Habba praised Melania at the event, calling her ‘incredibly astute’ and ‘a girl boss who should have been on the cover of Vogue.’ But the question remains: Does the film truly capture her story, or is it a carefully curated narrative?
What do you think? Is Melania a fair portrayal of the former First Lady, or is it a politically motivated project? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
