Bezos Defends Amazon’s MGM Acquisition and Film Release
Jeff Bezos recently defended Amazon’s acquisition of MGM Studios and the release of the documentary *melania*, calling it a “very smart business decision.” He addressed the concerns during an interview on CNBC’s *Squawk Box*, specifically rejecting claims that the purchase was intended to gain favor with the former president.
“That’s an indelible lie,” Bezos stated. “I see reports that I am somehow involved in this incident… I have nothing to do with it.” Though he has been away from the CEO role since 2021, he now serves as the executive chairman of Amazon.
Bezos acknowledged the potential for the deal to be perceived as a bribe but maintained it was a sound business choice. “I understand why people would say that. We denied it, and Melania Trump’s office denied it as well. That’s not true. This seems to have been a good business decision, by the way. It did very well in theaters. It did very well on streaming. People are very interested in Melania,” he explained, adding that while he wasn’t directly involved, the Amazon team made a smart move.
The acquisition of MGM for $40 million required an additional $35 million for marketing, ultimately yielding a theatrical box office of $16.6 million. Audience reactions to the film appear mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an impressive audience score of 99% from over 2,500 verified ratings, but critics gave it a mere 10%. In contrast, IMDB shows a rating of 1.6 based on about 69,000 votes, and it has a 1.1 rating on Letterboxd with over 29,000 votes. Interestingly, it debuted at the top of Amazon’s streaming charts earlier this year.
Brian Huseman, Amazon’s vice president of public policy, firmly rejected any accusations suggesting that the platform bribed Melania Trump. “We disagree with any suggestion that Amazon’s decision to license this film and its accompanying series was inappropriate,” he noted. Huseman emphasized that Amazon regularly releases documentaries showcasing diverse perspectives across the political landscape.
“Amazon MGM Studios became the licensor of the film after a thorough competitive bidding process,” he continued. “It provided an unprecedented look at a historic presidential transition through the eyes of a first lady, allowing us to tell a story that has never been told before.” He stated that their choice was rooted not just in the film but in its access, narrative, and cultural significance.
In the same interview, Bezos shared some thoughts about President Trump’s second term, stating, “I think he’s a more mature, more disciplined version of himself than he was in his first term.” He also mentioned his willingness to work with any president, emphasizing the need for business leaders to provide input regardless of political affiliation. “He was right about a lot of things. You have to give him credit where credit is due,” he remarked.
