Category: Melania Trump
‘Melania’ soars: Audiences love first lady’s documentary while the usual haters hate
Audiences rave and critics sneer as the documentary “Melania” exceeds industry expectations in its opening weekend.
The opening gross domestic ticket sales reached $7 million, placing the film third overall at the domestic box office behind two major studio releases.
‘To say that “Melania” is a hagiography would be an insult to hagiographies.’
The film, which chronicles first lady Melania Trump in the weeks leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, debuted in 1,778 theaters nationwide, an unusually wide release for a documentary.
Prerelease projections published by entertainment outlets such as People magazine estimated the film would earn between $3 million and $5 million.
RELATED: New ‘Melania’ documentary blends unprecedented access with subtle, profound message
Brooks Kraft/Getty Images
While the film did not screen in advance for critics, reviews published after release were largely unfavorable.
Critics from the Guardian, Variety, and the Hollywood Reporter described the documentary as politically one-sided and overly sympathetic.
Xan Brooks of the Guardian compared the film to a “medieval tribute to placate the greedy king on his throne.” Owen Gleiberman of Variety described it as a “cheese ball infomercial of staggering inertia.” Frank Scheck of the Hollywood Reporter wrote, “To say that ‘Melania’ is a hagiography would be an insult to hagiographies.”
Audiences reacted differently.
Opening-night viewers awarded the film an “A” at CinemaScore, a metric based on verified exit polling conducted at theaters nationwide.
Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images
The film was distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, which reportedly paid $40 million for distribution rights and spent an additional $35 million on marketing.
The total investment made the project the most expensive documentary release to date.
Despite the high cost, box-office analysts interviewed by AP noted that political documentaries are often evaluated based on visibility and audience engagement rather than traditional profitability.
The film premiered at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., with attendance from members of Congress, Cabinet officials, and business executives.
Following its theatrical run, “Melania” is scheduled to stream on Prime Video. International theatrical distribution is expected to be limited.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
New ‘Melania’ documentary blends unprecedented access with subtle, profound message
There are films that chronicle history, and then there are films that expose the private architecture behind it. “Melania,” the historic new feature film, belongs to the latter category. It is not a campaign film or a political gloss. It is a deeply human account of transition, responsibility, and resolve, told during the most compressed and emotionally demanding stretch of Melania Trump’s life, as she prepared to assume her second term as first lady of the United States.
The film shows the complexity of moving from private life back into one of the most scrutinized public roles in the world.
The film focuses on a narrow but consequential window from January 1 through January 20, 2025, a period that is usually flattened into ceremony and symbolism. Instead, “Melania” lingers in the quiet moments that precede power. It shows a woman balancing the private obligations of motherhood and family with the public demands of leadership. Navigating grief within her own family while preparing to re-enter a national spotlight that rarely affords empathy.
What distinguishes the film immediately is its intimacy. The camera follows Melania Trump through the ordinary and the extraordinary: checking in on her son, caring for her father after the loss of his wife, and preparing to return to public life after years away from the East Wing. These scenes are not dramatized. They are observed. The result is a portrayal that feels restrained, grounded, and unmistakably human.
“Melania” also offers access that has never before been granted to a media project. Viewers are brought into high-level meetings with the Secret Service, detailed White House walk-throughs, and internal discussions about staffing, security, and protocol. The level of access surpasses any prior film or documentary involving the modern presidency, and it does so without compromising the seriousness of the subject.
The film captures the lingering tension in Washington following the failed Kamala Harris presidential campaign. Without editorializing, it documents the complicated interpersonal dynamics and unspoken friction that accompany transitions of power. These moments are subtle, conveyed through body language and silence rather than confrontation, lending the film an unusual credibility.
International diplomacy threads its way into the story as well, most notably through an appearance by Queen Rania of Jordan. Their interaction reflects Melania Trump’s long-standing engagement with global humanitarian issues and underscores the often unseen role first ladies play in shaping state relationships
At its core, “Melania” is about transition. It chronicles how Melania Trump rebuilt her East Wing operation from scratch, assembling a team and setting a tone that was disciplined and intentional. The film shows the complexity of moving from private life back into one of the most scrutinized public roles in the world.
That same precision defined how the film itself came to life.
From the moment the project was introduced to the entertainment industry, it triggered a highly competitive bidding war. Netflix, MGM, Disney, and Paramount all pursued the project intensely, recognizing the rarity of the access and the global interest surrounding Melania Trump’s return to the White House.
Navigating that landscape was Marc Beckman, who has served as Melania Trump’s senior adviser for 25 years. For decades, he has worked closely with her to secure major commercial deals, advance humanitarian initiatives, and shape her public voice. His understanding of media, culture, and negotiation proved critical in steering the project through a crowded field without compromising its integrity.
Beckman brought a long-term, cross-sector perspective to the process. His experience executing campaigns for major global brands and institutions gave him the leverage and insight necessary to evaluate the various competing offers. Together, Beckman and Melania Trump prioritized control, authenticity, and global reach over spectacle.
RELATED: Matt Damon: Netflix dumbs down movies for attention-impaired phone addicts
Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage
Ultimately, Amazon was selected as the studio partner. The deal was not the result of any back-channel negotiations involving Donald Trump or Jeff Bezos. It was a strategic choice by a first lady determined to protect her story and ensure that it reached a worldwide audience on her terms.
While “Melania” remains focused on the human dimensions of leadership, it arrives at a time when the first lady has increasingly asserted herself as a force within the East Wing. Her recent efforts to encourage America’s children to pursue curiosity and ambition, including through responsible engagement with emerging technologies like AI, reflect the broader leadership philosophy that underpins the film.
A two-part docuseries, set for release this summer, will expand on the filmmaking process itself, offering behind-the-scenes insight into how unprecedented access was negotiated and maintained and how a project of this magnitude was executed without losing its soul.
In an era of political noise and cultural oversaturation, “Melania” stands apart. It is quiet without being passive and powerful without being performative. More than a film, it is a record of how leadership looks before the world is watching — and why that unseen work matters.
Melania’s bold AI message to America’s youth: ‘Use AI as a tool, but do not let it replace your personal intelligence’
Appearing at the “Zoom Ahead: AI for Tomorrow’s Leaders” virtual event from the White House on Friday, Melania Trump addressed the rapid advancement of AI technology, highlighting both its current capabilities and the potential risks and opportunities it may present in the future.
Thanking Zoom founder Eric Yuan for hosting the event, the first lady praised the company’s leadership in the tech space and connected the discussion to what she described as her broader “mission.”
Mrs. Trump said AI has expanded access to creative tools in ways that were previously unimaginable, allowing young people to explore fields such as film, fashion, art, and music.
“Your support directly advances my mission to prepare America’s next generation to use AI to enhance their education and ultimately their careers,” Mrs. Trump said.
She told the audience they were “fortunate” to be living in what she repeatedly described as “the age of imagination,” a new era shaped by artificial intelligence.
“The age of imagination is a new era, powered by artificial intelligence, where one’s curiosity can be satisfied almost magically in seconds,” she said.
RELATED: AI isn’t killing writers — it’s killing mediocre writing
Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images
Mrs. Trump said AI has expanded access to creative tools in ways that were previously unimaginable, allowing young people to explore fields such as film, fashion, art, and music from their own homes.
“For the first time in history, the young girl dreaming of becoming a fashion designer and the young boy who wants to stand up his school animated superhero series can do so from their own home,” Trump said.
She emphasized that curiosity has always been central to human progress, pointing to writers, scientists, architects, and artists who challenged unanswered questions and the status quo.
“Every giant at some point in time questions the status quo,” she said. “Their singular vision pushes humanity in a new direction.”
She noted, however, that the power of the technology actually lies in the human “imagination.”
“Artificial intelligence provides all the tools needed to implement your creative vision today,” she said.
“But what do you need to start? You need to harness your imagination.”
She encouraged students and creators to focus on developing the ability to ask meaningful questions and to think critically beyond the information AI can provide.
RELATED: Can artificial intelligence help us want better, not just more?
Brooks Kraft/Getty Images
The first lady stressed that while AI can generate content, it cannot replace human purpose.
“Although artificial intelligence can generate images and information, only humans can generate meaning and purpose,” she said.
She concluded by urging the audience to treat AI as a tool rather than a shortcut, encouraging intellectual honesty and personal responsibility in how the technology is used.
“Use AI as a tool, but do not let it replace your personal intelligence,” Mrs. Trump said.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Melania’s bold AI message to America’s youth: ‘Use AI as a tool, but do not let it replace your personal intelligence’
Appearing at the “Zoom Ahead: AI for Tomorrow’s Leaders” virtual event from the White House on Friday, Melania Trump addressed the rapid advancement of AI technology, highlighting both its current capabilities and the potential risks and opportunities it may present in the future.
Thanking Zoom founder Eric Yuan for hosting the event, the first lady praised the company’s leadership in the tech space and connected the discussion to what she described as her broader “mission.”
Mrs. Trump said AI has expanded access to creative tools in ways that were previously unimaginable, allowing young people to explore fields such as film, fashion, art, and music.
“Your support directly advances my mission to prepare America’s next generation to use AI to enhance their education and ultimately their careers,” Mrs. Trump said.
She told the audience they were “fortunate” to be living in what she repeatedly described as “the age of imagination,” a new era shaped by artificial intelligence.
“The age of imagination is a new era, powered by artificial intelligence, where one’s curiosity can be satisfied almost magically in seconds,” she said.
RELATED: AI isn’t killing writers — it’s killing mediocre writing
Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images
Mrs. Trump said AI has expanded access to creative tools in ways that were previously unimaginable, allowing young people to explore fields such as film, fashion, art, and music from their own homes.
“For the first time in history, the young girl dreaming of becoming a fashion designer and the young boy who wants to stand up his school animated superhero series can do so from their own home,” Trump said.
She emphasized that curiosity has always been central to human progress, pointing to writers, scientists, architects, and artists who challenged unanswered questions and the status quo.
“Every giant at some point in time questions the status quo,” she said. “Their singular vision pushes humanity in a new direction.”
She noted, however, that the power of the technology actually lies in the human “imagination.”
“Artificial intelligence provides all the tools needed to implement your creative vision today,” she said.
“But what do you need to start? You need to harness your imagination.”
She encouraged students and creators to focus on developing the ability to ask meaningful questions and to think critically beyond the information AI can provide.
RELATED: Can artificial intelligence help us want better, not just more?
Brooks Kraft/Getty Images
The first lady stressed that while AI can generate content, it cannot replace human purpose.
“Although artificial intelligence can generate images and information, only humans can generate meaning and purpose,” she said.
She concluded by urging the audience to treat AI as a tool rather than a shortcut, encouraging intellectual honesty and personal responsibility in how the technology is used.
“Use AI as a tool, but do not let it replace your personal intelligence,” Mrs. Trump said.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Melania Trump’s top 7 fashion moments of 2025
Although she rarely takes center stage, Melania Trump’s fashion always stands out.
The former model turned first lady is no stranger to a show-stopping look. Whether it’s her signature six-inch stilettos or a regal black-tie gown, Melania has donned many memorable outfits throughout 2025. Here are seven of her best looks so far.
7. Commander in chic
White House Press Pool/Getty Images
Melania sported a classy pinstripe skirt suit at the military parade over the summer, paired with a gray satin pump. The pinstripe’s color is inverted from black with white stripes to a subtle cream color with darker stripes, providing a summery twist on a beloved classic.
The choice of a skirt suit over a pant suit is a refreshing choice that contrasts with the professional attire of working women in Washington. The tailoring flatters her figure without overly exaggerating her contours, making for a simple yet stunning ensemble.
6. Burberry bound
Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
En route to an oversees trip to the United Kingdom, Melania wore a gorgeous Burberry trench coat, undoubtedly a nod to British fashion and craftsmanship. The floor-length silhouette and popped collar add dramatic flair to a classic coat, paired with oversized sunglasses for a true model-off-duty look.
Melania’s brushed-back, low ponytail softly frames her face while still letting the coat speak for itself. A stark contrast from the casual airport clothes most Americans are used to, Melania’s travel outfit balances effortlessness with classic style.
5. Cheetah girl
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
A true veteran of the fashion industry, Melania knows when to take a risk and how to pull it off. Melania flaunted a fabulous leopard coat during the 2025 International Women of Courage Award Ceremony, flawlessly utilizing a bold print as a sort of neutral.
The warm brown tones of the coat complement her hair color and complexion, making for a soft interpretation of an otherwise bold print. The print itself is also small enough to remain eye-catching without being distracting. Leopard print made a comeback in 2025, but it has arguably always been a fashion-forward classic, just like much of Melania’s timeless wardrobe.
4. Lace and lawmakers
Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Melania is known for her elegant play on suit wear, and this black lace ensemble from the 2025 White House Congressional Ball is no exception. Melania’s feminine take on a traditionally masculine suit features a soft velvet coat contrasted with satin lapels and an intricate yet modest lace undershirt (Lauren Sanchez, take notes).
Melania understands that the challenge is not just to find a fashionable outfit, but to find one that also flatters her features. The subtle but effective femininity of the suit pairs beautifully with her golden cascading hair, yet another indicator of Melania’s impeccable fashion instincts.
3. Suede sisters
Photo by Yui Mik – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Melania knows how to dress for the occasion, perfectly complementing Kate Middleton, the princess of Wales, during an overseas visit in the English countryside. The neutral color palette and suede coat put on display the perfect balance between classic, Ralph Lauren-esque Americana and traditional British outerwear.
Once again taking into consideration her complexion, the camel-colored coat pairs beautifully with her warm-toned hair and creme-colored trousers, making for an incredibly chic ensemble.
2. Inaugural icon
Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Easily one of her most iconic looks was from one of her first public appearances in 2025 during her husband President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The sleek navy skirt suit with matching stilettos were beautiful pieces on their own, but the star of the show was her eye-catching headwear that made several headlines.
Melania’s wide-brimmed hat was often paired with a demure grin or a quick glance that dazzled photographers and attendees alike. This stylish showstopper is one of her many looks that simply speaks for itself.
1. Emerald alliance
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Melania’s best look in 2025 was an emerald-green floor-length gown she wore while the White House hosted Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia. The color choice is undeniably stunning as is the silhouette of the strapless gown.
The delicate ruching throughout the front of the gown elongates and flatters her figure beautifully without appearing too showy (again, Lauren Sanchez, take notes). The slight sheen of the fabric adds just the right glamorous touch to the jewel-toned dress and matching pumps. Melania’s elegance and class shine most in this gown.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
How The Christmas Tree Made Its Way To The White House
How The Christmas Tree Made Its Way To The White House
HAVE YOURSELF A MAGA CHRISTMAS: White House Releases Official POTUS-FLOTUS Christmas Portrait [SEE IT]
![HAVE YOURSELF A MAGA CHRISTMAS: White House Releases Official POTUS-FLOTUS Christmas Portrait [SEE IT]](https://hannity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-2251470780-300x217.jpg "President Trump Speaks At The Congressional Ball")
The official White House Christmas portrait is out.
Can conservatives reclaim pop culture?
Remember when the Duke ruled movie Westerns … studio moguls Walt Disney, Sam Goldwyn and Cecil B. DeMille called the GOP home … and the Hays Code kept movies squeaky-clean?
Well, Hollywood took a left turn about 50 years ago and hasn’t looked back.
Both Mark Wahlberg, a star of deep Christian faith, and actor Zachary Levi are mulling production studios far from the Golden State.
Are we finally ready for a course correction?
Coming attractions
We’ve already seen rebel outfits like the Daily Wire, Breitbart News, and this site’s parent company produce feature films and TV shows from a non-progressive lens. Dude-bro podcasters Joe Rogan and Andrew Schulz ignored the DNC talking points during the 2024 presidential election, with some suggesting their political chats played a role in President Donald Trump’s re-election.
Liberal late-night TV may be going the way of the eight-track tape, given current trends, while the right-leaning “Gutfeld!” outperforms Colbert and company.
That all may be dwarfed by what’s coming next.
David Ellison, son of billionaire Trump supporter Larry, now calls the shots at Paramount after a high-profile deal secured the purchase earlier this year. David Ellison isn’t MAGA, but he’s also not woke or eager to mock half the country.
One of his first deals with Paramount was to secure the rights to UFC events, hardly a coastal elite move. Next June, expect an MMA battle royale on the White House lawn to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.
He also purchased the Free Press and named founder Bari Weiss the head of CBS News. Weiss’ company gave conservatives a fair shake and treated the news like … news, not progressive propaganda, under her management.
That suggests Ellison understands the culture wars and thinks appealing to the middle is a wise path forward. It explains why Paramount denounced a far-left celebrity push to boycott Israeli-themed films due to the nation’s so-called genocidal actions against Palestinians.
That’s more MAGA than Hollywood business as usual.
The right stuff
Plus, a November report from Variety shared several Paramount projects with a definitive Heartland appeal, from a “Top Gun” sequel to a “Taken” variation with a cowboy spin. And then there’s the much-publicized “Rush Hour 4” sequel, spurred on reportedly by none other than President Trump himself.
The one early flaw in Ellison’s plans? He allowed TV superstar Taylor Sheridan to flee Paramount for NBCUniversal. Sheridan’s red-state-friendly shows, from “Yellowstone” to “Landman,” have upended the TV landscape, and he’ll only grow stronger under his new deal.
Sheridan’s emergence is another reason for right-leaning optimism. Once again, the prolific creator isn’t conservative, per se, but he’s willing to tell stories today’s Hollywood wouldn’t touch. His male characters exude a rugged, old-school masculinity that is often missing in other parts of the TV landscape.
A Sheridan show sounds and looks different from most modern programs. A perfect case in point? Billy Bob Thornton’s character, a world-weary oil guru, eviscerates the green movement in “Landman” season one. Would a similar rant be heard on any broadcast show? HBO Max? Netflix?
Unlikely.
Zach attack
More intriguing signs abound. Both Mark Wahlberg, a star of deep Christian faith, and actor Zachary Levi are mulling production studios far from the Golden State. That’s more potential disruptions to the status quo, fed by storytellers who don’t pledge allegiance to the progressive flag.
Angel Studios, the successful TV company now making feature films, offers a fresh take on the standard Hollywood slate.
And then there’s the current first lady. Melania Trump is the focus of a new documentary film bowing next month. She’s using her Hollywood close-up to announce a new production company called Muse Films.
That’s following in the Obamas’ footsteps. The former first couple created Higher Ground Productions and partnered up with Netflix after leaving the White House. No matter where one stands on the Obama record, the couple knows cultural soft power matters.
So do the Trumps.
RELATED: Netflix buys Warner Bros. and HBO — here’s what it’ll control
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images
Retaking Hollywood
The real X factor may be AI run wild. Conservative artists don’t have the same access to cash that liberals possess. What if a savvy libertarian could create a film via AI, post it on YouTube or Rumble, and rock the culture without breaking the bank? How might that even the culture wars in ways the modern left can’t stop?
Conservatives still have a long, long way to go. Far-left auteur Aaron Sorkin revisits Jan. 6 in the upcoming “The Social Reckoning,” a movie sure to gin up Oscar buzz and endless fawning press coverage following its Oct. 2026 release. It is one of many projects that subscribe to a hard-left perspective.
Take this year’s “One Battle After Another,” a morally warped love letter to anti-government violence. It’s the odds-on favorite to win the Best Picture Oscar come March. Another Oscar darling is “No Other Choice,” director Park Chan-wook’s anti-capitalist screed.
Plus, the Hollywood press will cover most right-leaning entertainment projects in a negative light, hoping to keep pop culture firmly in the hands of progressives. Remember how reporters raged against “Sound of Freedom,” a film cheering efforts to stop child sex traffickers? That movie wasn’t conservative or faith-based, but some assumed it was one or both, and that was enough for media outlets to both pounce and seize on it.
And for every rebel documentary like “The Fall of Minneapolis,” “Am I Racist?” or “October 8,” there are dozens promoting hard-left agendas. The existing Tinseltown infrastructure nurtures and promotes left-leaning stories and storytellers.
That won’t be easy to duplicate, let alone compete against.
Team Ellison will face overwhelming pressure to reject right-leaning impulses from Democrat politicians, media platforms, and garden-variety progressives. It could end up easier for Ellison and company to go along with Hollywood’s liberal orthodoxy than to effect real change.
Or Ellison could see this moment as the perfect time to perform an ideological pivot. The days of ignoring, if not insulting, half the country no longer makes business sense. It’s show business, after all.
And at last that half of the country finally has some storytellers to call its own.
