The documentary “Melania,” which follows the typically private first lady as she prepared for her husband Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration, premiered in theaters nationwide this Saturday. Its wide release followed a lavish debut at the Kennedy Center—recently renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center—where the former president praised the film as “glamorous, very glamorous.”
The Amazon MGM production shadows Melania Trump, the 55-year-old former model, during the 20-day countdown to the January 2025 ceremony. The film travels from the couple’s Florida estate to Trump Tower and the White House, capturing her preparations—from selecting Inauguration Day outfits to deciding on decor for their return to Washington. While it offers no major political revelations, it provides personal insights, including the profound impact of her mother’s passing and her admiration for singer Michael Jackson. The documentary also features surprise appearances, such as a video call with French first lady Brigitte Macron.
Despite a major winter storm disrupting travel in Washington, D.C., some attendees, like Savannah Harrison, were drawn to the screening out of curiosity. “I was just very intrigued to see behind the scenes,” Harrison told reporters, adding that the film left her delighted. “In contrast to what we see from President Trump every day, it’s just another aspect that humanizes them a little bit more,” she noted, acknowledging she already held a favorable view of the first lady.
Reception, however, has been polarized. While some viewers appreciated the intimate portrait, the film has also met with visible backlash. In Los Angeles—a city where voters strongly opposed Trump in the 2024 election—a promotional billboard was vandalized to portray the first lady in a derogatory, offensive manner.
Following its theatrical run, the 1-hour, 44-minute documentary will be available for streaming on Prime Video
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