Jen Psaki Forecasts Box Office Disaster for Melania Trump Documentary
MSNBC host Jen Psaki has delivered a scathing prediction that Melania Trump's forthcoming documentary film will be a spectacular commercial failure, directly attributing this anticipated outcome to what she described as the 'toxic' nature of President Donald Trump's second term. The former Biden administration press secretary appeared to take considerable satisfaction in delivering this politicised prognosis during Wednesday's edition of The Briefing.
Massive Budget Meets Paltry Presales
Psaki began her analysis by outlining the film's financial backdrop, highlighting its astronomical production and marketing costs juxtaposed against remarkably weak advance ticket sales. She noted that Amazon MGM, the studio behind the project, paid a $40 million licensing fee to Melania Trump and has subsequently invested an additional $35 million in promotional activities.
'That brings their total expenditure to $75 million before a single ticket has been sold,' Psaki remarked, setting the stage for her critique of the film's commercial prospects.
Aggressive Promotion Fails to Generate Buzz
The host meticulously catalogued the extensive marketing campaign, which has included nationwide billboards, bus advertisements, commercials during NFL playoff games, and even a paid spot on the notoriously expensive Las Vegas Sphere. She pointedly mentioned Melania Trump's appearance at the New York Stock Exchange to ring the opening bell, a move typically associated with corporate launches rather than documentary films.
Psaki also highlighted President Trump's personal promotion efforts across his social media platforms, which collectively boast over 100 million followers. She read aloud from a Truth Social post in which the president urged followers to 'Get your tickets today - Selling out, FAST!'
'But even with all that promotion,' Psaki continued with evident scepticism, 'it turns out it is not selling out fast, really at all.'
Industry Forecasts Paint Bleak Picture
Citing projections from Hollywood trade groups like the National Research Group, Psaki revealed that industry insiders expect the film to generate only $1 million to $5 million in domestic ticket sales. This would represent a catastrophic financial return on Amazon's substantial investment.
She presented further evidence of weak demand, including poor overseas presales and lacklustre advance bookings at Regal Cinema locations in Florida, directly contradicting President Trump's claims of rapid ticket sales.
Production Crew Expresses Regret and Embarrassment
Perhaps the most damning element of Psaki's analysis came from her discussion of the film's own production team. Quoting a Rolling Stone investigation, she revealed that numerous crew members have expressed embarrassment or regret about their involvement.
'According to Rolling Stone, even the people who worked on the film want nothing to do with it,' Psaki stated. She detailed how approximately two-thirds of the crew reportedly requested that their names not appear in the credits, while another credited individual expressed regret about their association with the project after witnessing the first year of Trump's second term.
'Donald Trump has become so toxic that even the people who worked on his own wife's movie cannot stomach associating themselves with him,' Psaki concluded.
Linking Film's Failure to Controversial Immigration Policies
Psaki directly connected the anticipated box office failure to specific policies of the Trump administration, particularly Operation Metro Surge - an ongoing ICE operation in Minneapolis and greater Minnesota that has drawn significant criticism.
She referenced the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents and the administration's subsequent handling of these incidents, suggesting that these controversies have generated widespread disgust that extends beyond traditional political circles.
'This news has broken out beyond just normal political spaces and has brought politics front-and-center in non-political spaces,' Psaki observed. 'And this to me is always a tell.'
Melania Trump's Contrasting Narrative
While Psaki presented her critical analysis, Melania Trump has been promoting the film through alternative channels, including a recent Fox News interview where she described her husband as a 'unifier' and shared personal details about their son Barron's involvement in political discussions.
The First Lady explained that the documentary captures the whirlwind of activity surrounding her preparations to return to the White House, including hiring East Wing staff despite the building's demolition. 'We have so many people around, have Secret Service, and it's a big production whatever you do,' she remarked about the filming process.
Immediate Release and Uncertain Reception
The documentary is scheduled for release in 1,700 theaters across the United States on Friday, with an additional 1,600 international screenings planned. Despite this extensive distribution, industry forecasts and early indicators suggest the film faces significant commercial headwinds that Psaki attributes directly to the current political climate surrounding the Trump administration.
As the release date approaches, the stark contrast between the Trump family's promotional optimism and Psaki's pessimistic forecast highlights how cultural products have become increasingly entangled with political perceptions in contemporary America.
