“Melania” kicked off its big rollout this weekend, with a premiere at the Trump-Kennedy Center Thursday evening, followed by appearances on 1,500 screens nationwide beginning Friday.
“I’m very proud of the film,” Melania told reporters Thursday evening as she arrived for the event with her husband, wearing a black Dolce and Gabbana dress.
“You will see humor, you will see grief, you will see fashion,” the first lady said of what the audience can expect, noting that the public will learn “what it takes from going from private citizen to first lady again.”
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived together on the black carpet for the premiere of ‘Melania’ at the Trump-Kennedy Center on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. REUTERS
The first lady stunned in an all-black ensemble. Getty Images
President Trump described his wife’s documentary as “a very important movie.”
“It shows life in the White House,” the president said. “It’s a big deal, actually.”
Asked about his marriage, Trump responded: “We do like the way it worked out.”
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There were a plethora of MAGA names on the guest list, including second lady Usha Vance, Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, and Fox News host Maria Bartiromo. Guests arrived on black carpet, instead of the traditional red rug for celebrities, in a nod to Melania’s black and white brand.
Several administration officials were also slated to attend, including chief of staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and FBI director Kash Patel.
“I think Melania has been largely misunderstood by the public,” Kennedy said at the event. “I have nothing but admiration for her. She’s been nothing but kind to me and to my wife since we moved to Washington, particularly to [his wife] Cheryl [Hines].“
“I think the press has portrayed her as a one dimensional character and that’s not who she is.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was also on the guest list, despite the tension over her handling of the shootings in Minnesota.
However, she was not seen on the black carpet.
And Speaker Mike Johnson was also there along with Republican Reps. Ronny Jackson (TX) and Pete Sessions (TX) and Sens. Markwayne Mullin (OK), Marsha Blackburn (TN) and John Curtis (UT).
Melania Trump was in full control of her self-titled documentary John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock
“We’re big fans of the first lady,” the House speaker, attending the premiere with his wife, Kelly, said on the black carpet. “We’ve become good friends with her as well.
“She has a great story to tell. It’s an inspiring one.”
“We often say to one another that we wish everybody could know the Trumps that we know … they’re just great people,” Johnson said of what he hopes the film will convey to the audience.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend Amazon MGM’s “Melania” World Premiere at The Trump Kennedy Center on January 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Inside the theater, guests were treated to gift bags with a Melania-branded container of popcorn and a box of water.
Rapper Nicki Minaj and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft were spotted inside the auditorium.
“Creating a film and launching a global marketing campaign is not easy,” the first lady said in remarks before the screening. “I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a visionary team.
Melania then thanked her husband, “America’s director, Donald Trump.”
She also thanked Barron, her sister, her father and her late mother “who is watching down from heaven.”
Melania Trump designed all the marketing for her documentary Amazon MGM Studios
Melania, 55, has made clear that the film is her story told her way — down to the design, editing and marketing. Instead of a red carpet, celebrity guests will strut on a black carpet heading into the film screening.
“What I do, what I don’t do, when I talk, when I don’t talk. And that’s my choice, and nobody is in charge of me,” she told Fox News on Wednesday.
While the first lady may have the final say over the one-hour, 44-minute feature, she can’t control what unfolds once the credits roll.
While Melania’s husband and son Barron appear in the film, notably absent from the cast list are her four stepchildren — Don Jr., Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany.
In fact, the first daughter has no speaking role, according to a person who saw the film, and is only seen in brief background glimpses during scenes featuring the inauguration and the balls.
Spokespeople for the couple did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Barron Trump will appear in his mother’s documentary AP
Eric Trump and his wife Lara, did not attend the premiere, their rep confirmed, adding that: “They are deeply proud of the First Lady and the remarkable story being shared. They are confident the premiere will be a tremendous success and regret missing what will undoubtedly be a wonderful evening.”
Barron Trump, who got a sneak peak at the film Saturday night at a White House screening, was also expected to skip Thursday’s premiere.
Meanwhile, there’s competing after parties, one of which will be hosted by the president’s eldest son.
Melania Trump’s step children Eric, Don Jr. and Ivanka do not appear on the cast list. AFP/Getty Images
Don Jr., walked the Trump Kennedy Center black carpet with fiance Bettina Anderson, is throwing a bash at his Washington, DC, club that will rival the official after party, per an invite seen by The Post.
The official party will include 250 guests, Page Six reported and, “That’s the official, proper producers party,” said a source. “It’s invite only, it’s pretty significant people.”
Several cabinet officials, senior White House staff, former New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and hockey star Wayne Gretzky are scheduled to attend along with other minor celebrities.
(L-R) Kelly Lary and Rep. Mike Johnson attend Amazon MGM’s “Melania” World Premiere at The Trump Kennedy Center on January 29, 2026, in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Melania Trump acts as executive producer on the project, where she had final cut and final say over the marketing, promotion and guest list.
She designed the black-and-white ad campaign with her name as the solo logo – in all caps – standing out starkly.
“Every element of production, post production,” her adviser Marc Beckman told Fox Business, “She is so detail oriented. The ad campaign … is all at Melania Trump’s creative direction.”
(L-R) Kathryn Burgum and Doug Burgum attend Amazon MGM’s “Melania” World Premiere at The Trump Kennedy Center on January 29, 2026, in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Melania and Beckman have kept details of the one hour 44 minute documentary closely under wraps. No early copies were provided to critics for review. President Trump only saw it for the first time Saturday night.
The cast listing suggests some of the content.
It includes Melania’s father Victor Knavs, to whom she is very close and who is regularly seen around Mar-a-Lago with the first couple.
(L-R) Lee Zeldin and Diana Zeldin attend Amazon MGM’s “Melania” World Premiere at The Trump Kennedy Center on January 29, 2026, in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Several members of her East Wing staff, including her Chief of Staff Hayley Harrison, are listed, suggesting viewers will see her building her team as first lady.
Stylist Hervé Pierre is noted as is her decorator Tham Kannalikham and Adam Lippes, who designed her inaugural gown.
And there could be a diplomatic touch as French first lady Brigitte Macron and Queen Rania of Jordan also appear on the cast list.
(L-R) Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet attends Amazon MGM’s “Melania” World Premiere at The Trump Kennedy Center on January 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. Getty Images
The film focuses on the 20 days leading up to the inauguration. But the first lady, who highlights business work like other members of the first family, made sure to include her priorities.
“The audience will see me, how I manage my business, my philanthropy, family preparation for the inauguration and also establishing the East Wing for the White House,” she told “Fox & Friends” this week.
“Melania” is directed by “Rush Hour” auteur Brett Ratner and licensed by Amazon as part of a whopping $40 million deal signed in January 2025.
“I didn’t know her, but when I met her I was totally taken,” Ratner told reporters on the red carpet.
The director said he was struck by “how serious she took her role … how passionate she was” about being the first lady.
Noting that he had never directed a documentary before, Ratner said during the process he referred to Melania as “my star.”
“She’s incredibly intelligent … don’t let her accent fool you at all … she cares about every detail,” Ratner said of what the audience may learn about Melania from the film.
The documentary has had an expensive marketing campaign with billboards in New York City’s Time Square and London’s Piccadilly Circus. It rotated on The Sphere in Las Vegas. Plus it took out television ads during expensive TV time slots like the NFL conference championship games and a UFC fight.
Questions are being raised about whether Amazon can recoup its investment. The studio spent $35 million to open the documentary in 27 countries, Puck News reported.
Box office predictions have it grossing between $3 million and $5 million over opening weekend in about 1,500 theaters.