In a continuation of protest actions, advertisements promoting Melania Trump's new documentary have been deliberately defaced across the Los Angeles area. This comes just days after activist groups claimed responsibility for vandalising a prominent billboard advertising the film.
Escalating Vandalism Campaign Targets Documentary Promotions
The documentary, titled Melania: Twenty Days to History, premiered last week and chronicles the former first lady's experiences during the intense 2024 Presidential election campaign. Despite generating significant box office revenue of $7 million on its opening weekend, the film has become a focal point for political protest and public division.
From Billboard to Bus Shelters: A Coordinated Effort
On Friday, an activist organisation shared video footage showing individuals spray painting a large billboard advertisement in Los Angeles. By Monday, the campaign had expanded significantly, with multiple posters at bus shelters throughout the city being similarly defaced. The coordinated nature of these actions suggests an organised protest against the documentary and its subject.
Record-Breaking Disparity Between Critics and Audiences
Meanwhile, the documentary has achieved an unusual cinematic distinction on the review aggregation platform Rotten Tomatoes. The film has broken a 27-year record for the largest discrepancy between professional critics' scores and audience ratings.
Since its release, critical reception has been overwhelmingly negative, with the documentary currently sitting at a remarkably low 10 percent approval rating from professional reviewers. In stark contrast, general viewers on the platform have awarded the film an extraordinary 99 percent approval rating.
Political Polarisation Reflected in Review Patterns
This unprecedented 89-point gap between critic and audience scores appears to reflect the deep political divisions surrounding the Trump presidency. The overwhelmingly positive audience ratings suggest many viewers are using their ratings as a form of political support for Trump rather than as an objective assessment of the documentary's cinematic merits.
The vandalism incidents and the extreme divergence in critical versus public reception highlight how Melania Trump's documentary has become another flashpoint in America's ongoing political and cultural debates, extending beyond cinema into public spaces and online platforms.
