Former First Lady Melania Trump has unveiled the first trailer for her highly anticipated, and deeply controversial, documentary film, sparking a fierce and divided reaction online. The project, licensed by Amazon in a deal reportedly worth $40 million, promises an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at her life.
A Glimpse Behind the Curtain
The trailer, shared by Mrs Trump on Wednesday morning, opens with a striking image of her in the Capitol Rotunda, wearing the large, wide-brimmed hat that became iconic during her husband's second inauguration. "Here we go again," she remarks to the camera as a suspenseful score builds.
The preview quickly cuts between various locations, including the White House, Mar-a-Lago, and Trump Tower in New York. It features a moment where Donald Trump states, "My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker," with Melania interjecting, "Peacemaker and unifier." In a final, seemingly candid clip, she is heard on the phone with the former President, who asks if she watched something, to which she replies, "I did not. Yeah, I will see it on the news."
Praise and Backlash: A Sharp Divide
Reactions to the teaser were sharply polarised. Official Trump-aligned accounts celebrated the release. The White House Rapid Response account on X declared, "We have an incredible First Lady," while Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed her excitement. Support from figures like pardoned former congressman George Santos and Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert followed swiftly.
However, critics were scathing. Tennessee political strategist Chris D. Jackson bluntly posted, "The GRIFT continues." Former Department of Homeland Security official Miles Taylor suggested the film should be "filed under Amazon's 'lobbying expenses'." Rhonda Elaine Foxx, a former Biden campaign director, criticised the timing, noting many struggle to afford food while a documentary about the First Lady is made.
Pod Save America co-host Tommy Vietor called the $40 million fee a "bribe," and one social media user quipped it could be the "first ever movie to sell 0 tickets." Some observers drew comparisons to the cinematography of TV drama Succession and the aesthetic of the film Titanic.
Controversial Figures and Release Plans
The documentary, titled Melania, is directed by Brett Ratner, a filmmaker who retreated from Hollywood in 2018 following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied. While Melania Trump is known for avoiding the political fray, the film is marketed as a personal look at her world, with brief appearances expected from Donald Trump and their son, Barron.
The project is part of a broader package that includes a follow-up docuseries. Melania is scheduled for an exclusive theatrical release on 30 January 2026, with a streaming date on Amazon to be confirmed. The substantial financial deal and the involvement of controversial figures ensure the film will remain a lightning rod for debate long before its premiere.
