White House Hosts Early Screening of Melania Trump Documentary

The White House hosted a private advance screening on Saturday for MELANIA, a new documentary from Amazon MGM Studios that focuses on the life of Melania Trump.

The film follows Melania Trump during the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s recent re-election as president. Its official premiere is scheduled for Thursday at the Kennedy Center, shortly after the president’s controversial takeover of the institution.

The documentary is directed by Brett Ratner, marking his first film since multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017. Ratner attended the screening alongside several prominent guests, including Mike Tyson, who has maintained a friendly relationship with Trump, and the president himself.

Other attendees included Queen Rania, Tim Cook, photographer Ellen von Unwerth, motivational speaker Tony Robbins, Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk, and Amazon executives Mike Hopkins and Andy Jassy, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

On Sunday, Melania Trump addressed the event in a post on X, calling the screening “deeply humbling.” She thanked the “friends, family, and cultural iconoclasts” in attendance and said their presence reflected a shared responsibility to tell personal stories that endure over time. “It was an honor to present my new film, Melania, ahead of its global launch,” she wrote.

Despite being planned months in advance, the event drew sharp criticism due to heightened tensions nationwide. The Trump administration has faced backlash following violent immigration raids in Minnesota that resulted in the deaths of Nicole Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the screening in a post on X, accusing the president of being out of touch amid multiple crises. She cited concerns over immigration enforcement, alleged attempts to access voter files, and the country bracing for severe winter weather with a reduced FEMA response.

According to CNN, Amazon spent $40 million to produce MELANIA and an additional $35 million on marketing.

The film’s trailer, released ahead of its Jan. 30 theatrical debut, shows Melania preparing outfits, admiring a red leather document holder, and expressing confidence that her husband will ultimately be remembered as a “peacemaker and unifier.”