A documentary titled “Melania” is set to premiere this weekend, with a special screening at the Trump Kennedy Center on Thursday night and general showings across 1,500 theaters starting Friday.
Numerous MAGA celebrities are expected to show up, including Second Lady Usha Vance, Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, and FOX News host Maria Bartiromo. Several administration figures will also make an appearance, such as Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Army Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Health Department Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and FBI Director Kash Patel.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is anticipated to attend, although tensions are high regarding the response to a recent mass shooting in Minnesota.
Melania Trump, 55, shared that the film is her narrative, from design to marketing. In an interesting twist, celebrity guests will walk on a black carpet instead of the traditional red carpet at screenings.
“I choose what to do and what not to do, when I’ll speak and when I won’t,” she mentioned to Fox News on Wednesday, emphasizing her autonomy.
While she has creative control over the one-hour, 44-minute documentary, she is aware she cannot dictate the audience’s reactions once the film concludes.
Interestingly, both Melania’s husband and son Barron are featured in the film, but her four stepchildren—Don Jr., Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany—are notably absent from the cast list.
Ivanka, who has had a somewhat contentious relationship with Melania, is unlikely to attend the premiere, along with her husband Jared Kushner. A spokesperson for them did not respond to requests for comments.
Eric Trump and his wife Lara will also be missing, but they expressed their pride in Melania and confidence in the film’s success through a representative.
A sneak peek of Barron Trump is slated to be shown at the White House on Saturday night, just like the premiere he’ll be skipping. Meanwhile, Don Jr. will host an after-party at a D.C. club that rivals the official event. He’ll make an appearance on the black carpet with his fiancée Bettina Anderson.
The official after-party, with around 250 guests, is expected to draw significant attendees, including several Cabinet members, White House officials, and even former New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Melania Trump took on multiple roles in the project as executive producer, having significant influence over the marketing and promotion. She curated a black-and-white ad campaign that highlights her name prominently as a solo logo.
Details about the documentary have been kept closely guarded, without early copies shared with critics. President Trump viewed it for the first time just recently.
The cast list reveals details about what viewers might see, including her close relationship with her father, Victor Knaves, who has often been seen with the couple at Mar-a-Lago. It also features staff members from her East Wing team and her stylist, Hervé Pierre, as well as decorators responsible for her inaugural dress.
Notably, the film focuses on the 20 days leading to the inauguration but also showcases Melania’s priorities, including her business management and philanthropic efforts. “Audiences will see how I handle my business and prepare my family for the inauguration,” she noted in a recent interview.
“Melania” is directed by Brett Ratner, known for “Rush Hour,” and was licensed by Amazon as part of a high-stakes, $40 million deal finalized in early 2025.
The documentary also saw a robust marketing push, featuring billboards in prominent locations like Times Square and Piccadilly Circus, along with advertisements during prime TV slots, including NFL and UFC events.
There are questions about whether Amazon will recover its investment; reports suggest the studio spent $35 million to distribute the film in 27 countries. Box office predictions estimate the film might earn between $3 million and $5 million during its opening weekend.
