Key Takeaways
- Donald Trump joked that Melania Trump becoming a “big movie star” could be “trouble.”
- The president claimed her documentary was “number one,” though box office data shows otherwise.
- The film opened strong but dropped significantly in its second weekend.
- Critics and audiences have sharply different reactions to the documentary.
Donald Trump is reacting to the release of Melania Trump’s new documentary with a mix of praise — and humor.
During a Thursday meeting of his newly formed Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., the president commented on the first lady’s documentary, Melania, which chronicles the final 20 days before his second inauguration.
“She has a very successful movie out right now, like number one,” Trump said, referring to its box office performance. He then joked about his wife’s growing spotlight.
“Big movie star,” he added. “And I always say it’s trouble, because there’s not room in one family for two stars.”
He repeated the remark for emphasis, quipping, “I told her we can’t have two stars in one family… it’s not good.”
Inside the Documentary
Directed by Brett Ratner — marking his first film since facing misconduct allegations in 2017 — Melania was produced by Amazon MGM Studios. The project reportedly cost $75 million between acquisition and marketing.
According to the studio, the documentary was “filmed in real time during the transition period” and captures the pressures of preparing for one of the most highly scrutinized roles in American public life.
The film debuted in theaters on Jan. 30 and opened stronger than expected, finishing second at the domestic box office during its first weekend. However, it saw a 67 percent drop in ticket sales during its second weekend and most recently ranked 15th over the President’s Day holiday frame.
Divided Reception
Like many projects connected to the Trump name, the documentary has sparked polarized reactions.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 11 percent score from critics, while audience ratings sit at 98 percent — highlighting a significant divide between reviewers and moviegoers.
A Familiar Presence on Screen
The documentary also adds to the Trump family’s long-standing connection to film and television. Donald Trump has previously made cameo appearances in movies such as Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Zoolander, and Two Weeks Notice, and appeared on television series including The Nanny and Sex and the City. He also hosted The Apprentice from 2004 to 2015.
Donald and Melania Trump married in 2005, and have frequently appeared together at public and entertainment events throughout their time in the spotlight.
