Melania Trump’s Lavish $40 Million Documentary Is Already Drawing Side Eye

Amazon reportedly spent $40 million on "Melania: Twenty Days to History" and another $35 million to promote it, raising eyebrows before reviews even arrive.

After a starry, if questionably timed, screening at the White House, first lady Melania Trump’s documentary is set to arrive in theaters this Friday amid a flurry of speculation ― and criticism.

Amazon MGM Studios reportedly paid $40 million in 2025 for the distribution rights to “Melania: Twenty Days to History,” outbidding both Disney and Paramount. The first lady herself is an executive producer on the film, and is believed to have pocketed $28 million from the deal, which includes a three-part follow-up docuseries. Both the film and the series follow her during the 20 days leading up to her husband President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration.

Though the $40 million figure already raised eyebrows, Puck’s Matthew Belloni reported last week that Amazon is spending an additional $35 million to promote the film when it opens in about 1,400 or 1,500 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, as well as an undisclosed number of theaters in 27 countries around the world.

President Donald Trump on Monday declared “Melania” a “MUST WATCH” on his Truth Social platform, before urging his followers: “Get your tickets today — Selling out, FAST!”

Still, such a high-profile campaign for a documentary is unusual, and though reviews of “Melania” have not yet emerged, critics have already questioned whether the film will turn a profit amid reports of “soft” ticket sales on both sides of the Atlantic.