Melania Trump discusses her documentary
“Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy interviewed First Lady Melania Trump about the debut of her documentary titled “Melania.”
The documentary “Melania” has earned almost $8 million during its opening weekend, making it the top-earning documentary in the past ten years. This marks a significant achievement for the First Lady, showcasing a stark contrast to her critics.
Directed by Brett Ratner, known for hits like “Rush Hour” and “X-Men: The Last Stand,” the project’s choice of director raises eyebrows. During President Trump’s tenure, it was unlikely that a figure from Hollywood would take on such a project about Melania. Yet, Ratner embraced the challenge, despite Hollywood’s complicated ties to politics, where it often marginalizes unconventional narratives. Still, making this film now in 2026 is somewhat easier than it would have been back in 2017.
This film presents a less critical view of Melania Trump’s life as First Lady, offering a polished glimpse into aspects of her life that are typically kept under wraps. However, it seems that no matter the content, it would likely not gain the favor of mainstream media.
The reviews from the press have been particularly harsh, with Variety branding it a “cheeseball infomercial of incredible inertia” and The Guardian describing it as “depressing, deadly, unrevealable,” and “irredeemable.”
While the film shows Melania in glamorous attire, it also depicts her role alongside her husband.
In one scene, she suggests to the president to use the term “unifier” in his inaugural address, which he later states: “My proudest legacy would be to be a peacemaker and unifier.” This showcases her support for his success, as it ultimately impacts the nation. The media, however, often overlooks the genuine care she might have for the country.
The portrayal of their marriage includes moments where she displays concern for his safety, particularly on Inauguration Day, suggesting a relationship contrary to claims of them being together merely for public image. The film addresses various speculations about their marriage, challenging narratives from sources like The New York Times, which have questioned Melania’s presence in the White House.
In a 2018 ABC interview, she stated, “I know people want to speculate about our marriage, and of course, it’s not always fun. But I know what’s right and what’s wrong, what’s true and what’s not true.”
This conviction is evident in the documentary.
On Rotten Tomatoes, “Melania” is witnessing an unprecedented gap between critic and audience scores. This discrepancy hints at the biases many critics bring into their reviews, regardless of their actual cinematic experience. While some viewers’ enthusiasm for the president may influence their opinions, the First Lady’s audience might be more forthcoming in their assessments.
As the Trump administration continues over the next three years, the media has an opportunity to provide a fair evaluation of the First Lady rather than perpetuating negative narratives. Many Americans would appreciate a more balanced approach, rather than diminishing the relevance of critiques that seem politically motivated. The choice is ultimately with them.
