A new documentary film focusing on Melania Trump in the lead-up to her husband Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration has been announced, but it is already facing intense scrutiny. The project, simply titled Melania, is the latest in a wave of highly controlled celebrity profiles that promise raw insight but often deliver carefully managed publicity.
The Trailer and the Promised 'Access'
The trailer, released in December 2025, opens with the former First Lady declaring, "Here we go again," as she is seen at the inauguration wearing her iconic wide-brimmed black hat. Marketed with dramatic text promising to let viewers "witness history in the making" over "twenty days to become First Lady of the United States of America," the preview has been met with scepticism.
Critics argue the teaser offers little beyond glossy, curated snippets, such as shots of her shoes on Air Force One. One brief moment shows Donald Trump asking if she watched a speech, to which she replies, "I did not – I will see it on the news," before the film cuts abruptly to a polished portrait. The response on social media has split along predictable political lines, with supporters expressing excitement and detractors questioning its timing and purpose.
The Bigger Trend: The 'Vanity Documentary' Epidemic
This film is seen as a symptom of a broader trend in entertainment: the rise of the vanity documentary. Streaming platforms are investing heavily in projects that promise unfiltered access to stars, athletes, and political figures, knowing they attract large audiences. Netflix's Beckham series, for instance, drew 3.8 million UK viewers in its first week.
However, these series frequently fail to deliver genuine revelation, feeling more like extended adverts. The recent Victoria Beckham documentary was criticised for its lack of intimacy, while a Simon Cowell series avoided tough questions about his legacy. The pattern suggests the subject often retains ultimate control, especially when, as with Melania Trump, they hold an executive producer credit.
The Most Telling Details Are Off-Screen
The behind-the-scenes facts of the Melania project may be more revealing than its content. Amazon reportedly paid $40 million to license the film shortly after Melania and Donald Trump dined with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his partner at Mar-a-Lago. An Amazon spokesperson stated the acquisition was based on customer appeal, but the timing raises eyebrows about corporate-political relations.
Furthermore, Melania Trump is said to be receiving roughly a 70% cut of that substantial fee. The choice of director has also drawn attention: the film is helmed by Brett Ratner, who faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct during the #MeToo movement in 2017, which he has consistently denied. His hiring is viewed by some as indicative of the MAGA world's embrace of figures considered 'cancelled' by mainstream Hollywood.
The documentary is scheduled for a cinematic release in January 2026 before streaming globally on Amazon's Prime Video. While the enigmatic First Lady, known for her detached public persona and avant-garde tastes, remains a figure of public fascination, few expect this tightly controlled project to pierce her polished veneer. As with many modern vanity documentaries, the most significant story may be what the film deliberately chooses not to show.
