‘Melania’ documentary, helmed by controversial filmmaker, arrives amid national turmoil

by

When Melania Trump showed up on movie screens in 2001, it was a joke.

Melania Trump, who used to be a fashion model, and her husband, Donald Trump – then a successful real estate developer – both appeared as themselves in the Ben Stiller comedy “Zoolander,” which is about a not-very-bright male supermodel. She stood by quietly as her husband enthusiastically told reporters on a red carpet that Derek Zoolander had been crucial to the success of male modeling.

The brief appearance shows the couple before they became president and first lady in 2017. Now, over a year after returning to Washington, D.C., Melania Trump has generally kept a low profile.

This week, Melania Trump is stepping into the spotlight with a new documentary about her life, simply titled “Melania,” which opens in theaters Friday. The film is intended to complement her recently released memoir, but it’s faced criticism since it was first announced. The documentary also represents a return to filmmaking for Brett Ratner, who directed the project. Ratner was effectively blacklisted by Hollywood in 2017 after being accused of sexual misconduct by several women, including actress Olivia Munn – accusations he continues to dispute.

Hollywood Inc.

For Subscribers

How once-exiled filmmaker Brett Ratner staged a Hollywood comeback with ‘Melania’

I used to be a huge fan of Brett Ratner – he directed some really popular movies like ‘Rush Hour’! But then, when the #MeToo movement gained traction, he kind of disappeared. Now, it’s wild to see him back in the spotlight, especially with support from President Trump and apparently, Melania Trump. It’s a really strange comeback.

As a film and media enthusiast, I was really interested to hear about the deal for this project – Amazon MGM Studios apparently shelled out $40 million just to get the rights! And they’re not holding back on getting the word out, with around $35 million earmarked for marketing and promotion. What’s really interesting is Melania’s approach to promoting it all. She’s sidestepping the usual round of TV talk shows and instead did an exclusive interview on Fox News – her first since she moved back to the White House. Then, the very next day, she was at the New York Stock Exchange ringing the opening bell – a pretty big splash, if you ask me!

The movie’s trailers are now appearing on channels like CNN, which President Trump often criticizes, and billboards have been set up in cities such as Los Angeles.

I’m really looking forward to this project, which I understand will be available on Prime Video after a limited time in cinemas. It’s hitting at a particularly challenging moment for the president, though. He’s facing some serious headwinds with his approval numbers dropping, and it feels like his second term is really being tested. There’s been a lot of scrutiny around his economic policies, how he’s handling things on the world stage, and even the changes he’s making to the White House – like building that new ballroom. Plus, everyone’s been waiting ages for those Epstein files to finally be released, adding to the pressure.

The upcoming premiere on Thursday at the Kennedy Center in Washington has been overshadowed by strong public anger. This anger stems from the fatal shootings of two Minneapolis residents by federal officers involved in the president’s strict policies against immigration.

Ongoing protests regarding the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, combined with the strong public reaction to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller (Deputy White House Chief of Staff) calling them domestic terrorists, have created further doubt about how well the movie “Melania” will be received by audiences.

World & Nation

Some leading Republicans are backing away from their full support of the federal agents involved in a fatal shooting of an American citizen in Minnesota. This shift appears to be a deliberate strategy coming from the White House.

Experts disagree on whether the movie will succeed. Companies that predict box office numbers estimate it will earn around $5 million during its opening weekend.

Predicting how many people will see this movie is difficult because it’s unlike anything else out right now, and the current movie market is unpredictable,” explained a seasoned box office expert who wished to remain anonymous.

I was so disappointed to hear that the film has been pulled from theaters in South Africa. It was supposed to premiere this Friday, but now, according to reports, the distributor has decided not to release it at all, simply stating ‘recent developments’ as the reason. It’s really frustrating when things change like that!

In the US, the movie “Melania” is opening alongside several other new releases this weekend, including the thriller “Send Help” directed by Sam Raimi, the horror film “Iron Lung” from YouTuber Markiplier, and “Shelter” starring Jason Statham.

It’s unclear how well the film will do, especially since it depends on whether fans of director Brett Ratner – known for hits like the “Rush Hour” movies – will be interested in a documentary about the First Lady. The film, called “Melania,” follows her over 20 days before the 2025 presidential inauguration as she plans the event and the family’s return to the White House. The trailer released last month doesn’t reveal much more about the film.

Throughout Donald Trump’s presidency, his wife was often seen as enigmatic and reserved. While some in Washington admired her independent spirit, others felt she didn’t achieve as much as previous first ladies like Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Reagan.

As a longtime follower of First Ladies, I’ve always found it fascinating how each woman who’s taken on that role has really made it her own. Anita B. McBride, who studies this at American University, pointed out that every First Lady has actually defined the position differently, based on who she is and what she cares about.

In a recent interview, she described the current First Lady as confidently herself, not bound by what others expect. Having navigated a challenging first term, she’s now more experienced and secure in her role, supported by a strong team, and clearly leading the way.

The White House held a private, formal preview of the “Melania” exhibit on Saturday, inviting prominent figures like Amazon’s Andy Jassy, boxing legend Mike Tyson, and Apple’s Tim Cook. Cook recently spoke out about the shootings of Good and Pretti, urging calm in Minneapolis.

New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was one of many politicians who criticized the event, which happened shortly after the death of Pretti.

According to a post on X, the author claims the Department of Homeland Security harmed a nurse, the Attorney General is allegedly trying to illegally obtain voter information, and a major ice storm threatens half the country despite reduced funding for FEMA. She criticizes the President for hosting a movie night at the White House during these events, calling him unfit for office.

During a Fox News interview shortly after the film’s release, the First Lady was questioned about the situation unfolding in Minneapolis.

Honestly, I really don’t want to see any violence, so if people are going to protest, I hope they do it peacefully. It feels like we desperately need to come together right now, you know?

Read More

2026-01-29 14:02