Melania Trump emerged for a notable public engagement last evening, attending the high-profile premiere of her personal documentary at the renamed Trump-Kennedy Center. The former First Lady, aged 55, appeared alongside her husband, former US President Donald Trump, 79, marking one of her infrequent appearances in the spotlight since leaving the White House.
A Stony-Faced Arrival on the Red Carpet
The couple arrived hand-in-hand, with Melania Trump opting for a sophisticated buttoned dress by Dolce and Gabbana. Observers noted her composed, stony-faced demeanour as she navigated the red carpet, drawing attention from assembled media and onlookers. The event celebrated the release of her documentary, titled Melania: Twenty Days to History, which chronicles her experiences in the lead-up to Trump's second presidential inauguration.
Melania's Personal Remarks on the Film
Addressing the premiere audience, Melania Trump clarified the nature of her project. "Some have called this a documentary. It is not," she stated firmly. "It is a creative experience that offers perspectives, insights and moments that only few perceive." She elaborated further, highlighting the emotional and stylistic elements viewers could expect. "You will see humour, you will see grief, you will see fashion so I'm very proud of the film," the 55-year-old added, emphasising her personal investment in the production.
Nicki Minaj's Surprise Attendance and Vocal Support
Among the notable guests was rapper Nicki Minaj, aged 41, whose presence added a layer of celebrity intrigue to the politically charged evening. Minaj, who recently proclaimed herself to be Donald Trump's "number one fan", arrived in a striking light blue gown featuring a keyhole cut-out at the chest. Her attendance follows a highly publicised moment earlier this week where she held hands with the former president on stage in Washington DC, praising his leadership in unequivocal terms.
"I will say that I am probably the president's number one fan, and that's not going to change," Minaj declared recently. "And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more." The rapper, who has previously spoken about arriving in the United States as an undocumented immigrant at age five, received a gold card visa from Trump—a fast-track route to citizenship requiring an investment exceeding one million dollars. Originally born in Trinidad and Tobago, she moved to the States with her family as a child.
Political Figures and Notable Absences
The premiere attracted a substantial contingent of Republican politicians and allies, underscoring the event's political significance. Attendees included:
- Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Trump's former attorney, Alina Habb
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins
- House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson
Additionally, television personality Dr Oz made an appearance on the red carpet with his family. However, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was scheduled to attend, notably skipped the event. Her absence comes amid mounting calls for her resignation following the fatal shooting of a nurse, Alex Pretti, aged 37, by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on January 24th. The incident has sparked nationwide protests and intensified scrutiny of her department.
Online Backlash and Review Bombing
Since its release, the documentary has faced significant backlash online, particularly on the platform Letterboxd. Users have engaged in review bombing, assigning the film overwhelmingly negative ratings without viewing it. One user commented, "I haven’t watched this obviously, I just want it to have the lowest rating on all of Letterboxd. Do your part. F**k Melania and, of course, f**k Trump." Another echoed this sentiment, stating, "Wont watch wont even pirate. Just making sure it’s the lowest rated movie of all time." This reaction highlights the polarising nature of the Trump brand and the contentious public reception to projects associated with the family.
The evening served as a convergence of politics, celebrity, and personal narrative, with Melania Trump's rare public step back into the limelight drawing both support and criticism in equal measure.
