Topline
A cohort of Trump administration officials, MAGA loyalists and rapper Nicki Minaj turned out for the premiere of Melania Trump’s documentary Thursday night, one day before the expensive, Amazon-backed “Melania” opens in theaters.
President Donald Trump and Melania Trump attended Thursday’s premiere of “Melania.” (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)
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Key Facts
Melania Trump and President Donald Trump both attended the premiere, held Thursday night at the Kennedy Center, the performing arts venue in Washington, D.C. that Trump has tried to rename after himself.
Brett Ratner, the director of “Melania” whose work on the film is his first directing gig since his career was derailed by sexual assault allegations in 2017, was also in attendance, where he defended the film’s massive price tag.
A few cabinet officials walked the red carpet, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Rapper Nicki Minaj, who has increasingly become a vocal Trump supporter in recent months and declared herself his “number one fan” earlier this week, also attended the premiere.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., attended with his wife Kelly, while other Trump loyalists included Dr. Mehmet Oz, the former reality star and Medicare and Medicaid administrator; social media influencer Lizzy Savetsky; formerly unlawfully appointed U.S. attorney Alina Habba; and U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C. and former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro.
Nicki Minaj, who recently dubbed herself Trump’s “number one fan,” attended the “Melania” premiere. (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)
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Brett Ratner, the controversial “Melania” director, and Alina Habba at the “Melania” premiere. (Photo by Craig Hudson/Variety via Getty Images)
Variety via Getty Images
Dr. Mehmet Oz and his family attend the “Melania” premiere. (Photo by Craig Hudson/Variety via Getty Images)
Variety via Getty Images
Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host and the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., was also in attendance. (Photo by Craig Hudson/Variety via Getty Images)
Variety via Getty Images
House Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife, Kelly, on the carpet at the “Melania” premiere. (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the “Melania” premiere. (Photo by Craig Hudson/Variety via Getty Images)
Variety via Getty Images
Education Secretary Linda McMahon at the “Melania” premiere. (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and “Melania” producer Marc Beckman at the “Melania” premiere. (Photo by Craig Hudson/Variety via Getty Images)
Variety via Getty Images
Surprising Fact
The vast majority of press were barred from Thursday night’s screening, Variety reported, except for One America News anchor Dan Ball and his wife, Peyton Drew, a OANN producer. Members of the press were allowed on the carpet, where reporters interviewed the Trumps and other attendees, but dozens of journalists were denied tickets to the film screening.
What Else Do We Know About “melania?”
Amazon acquired “Melania” for a huge sum of $40 million, reportedly beating out other bidders including Paramount and Disney. The studio spent another $35 million on marketing and the theatrical release, with the film expected to debut in more than 3,000 theaters worldwide Friday. Despite the huge spend, “Melania” is tracking to earn between $3 million and $5 million in its opening weekend, Variety reported. The big sum Amazon spent has raised eyebrows, with former Amazon film executive Ted Hope telling the New York Times it must be the “most expensive documentary ever made that didn’t involve music licensing,” adding: “How can it not be equated with currying favor or an outright bribe?” The documentary follows Melania Trump in the few weeks between her husband’s second presidential election victory and his inauguration. “Melania” was first screened at the White House last week, in a star-studded event with guests including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan, Queen Rania of Jordan and boxer Mike Tyson.
Further Reading
Trump Says The ‘Melania’ Movie Is ‘Selling Out, Fast’—But Is It? (Forbes)
‘Melania’ Doc Marks Brett Ratner’s Big Return After He Was Canceled During Me Too (Forbes)