The first lady’s new documentary, Melania, hit theatres on Friday, January 30, after a black carpet premiere at the newly named Trump-Kennedy Center the night before.
Acquired by Amazon MGM Studios in a reported $40 million deal, Melania highlights the 20 days leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration in which her husband, President Donald Trump, was sworn in as the 47th president.
“History is set in motion during the 20 days of my life prior to the U.S. Presidential Inauguration,” Melania, 55, said of the film in December 2025. “For the first time, global audiences are invited into theaters to witness this pivotal chapter unfold — a private, unfiltered look as I navigate family, business and philanthropy on my remarkable journey to becoming First Lady of the United States of America.”
After seeing the finished film for the first time, Donald, 79, shared his positive review at the premiere.
“I loved it. I thought it was really great,” he told reporters on Thursday, January 29. “It really brings back a glamour that you just don’t see anymore. Our country could use a little bit of that.”
Movie critics, however, appear to have a different take on the film.
What Is ‘Melania’ Rated on Rotten Tomatoes?
Melania Trump’s documentary sits at a rating of 9 percent from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score is unknown as of publication time because there weren’t enough verified reviews submitted on opening day. (A “Certified Fresh” critic review on the website is 55 percent.)
What Are Critics Saying About ‘Melania’?
Movie critics who were able to see Melania early were quick to share their honest reviews about the finished product.
“Melania is a documentary that never comes to life. It’s a ‘portrait’ of the First Lady of the United States, but it’s so orchestrated and airbrushed and stage-managed that it barely rises to the level of a shameless infomercial,” Variety shared. “Is it cheesy? At moments, but mostly it’s inert. It feels like it’s been stitched together out of the most innocuous outtakes from a reality show. There’s no drama to it. It should have been called Day of the Living Tradwife.”
The Hollywood Reporter described the film as an “expensive propaganda doc” that was “glossily shot and lushly scored.”
Other critics were straight to the point, with The Independent and The Guardian scoring the film one out of five stars.
The London Evening Standard, however, gave the film a relatively positive review.
“If you take this film for what it is, Melania’s own, curated take on herself, then there’s one thing she wants to get across, it’s that there’s human warmth there under the cheekbones and the slanting feline eyes,” the outlet wrote. “May I say right now she looks extraordinary for 55?”
What Are Fans Saying About ‘Melania’?
While many professional movie critics have less than positive things to say about Melania, some Rotten Tomatoes viewers appeared to show a different perspective about the film.
“An absolutely delightful peek behind the scenes of the days before, during and after the inauguration,” one verified RT user wrote. “So many special moments captured and I’m so grateful Melania decided to share them with the American people.”
Another verified RT viewer added, “Beautifully done cinematography. Playful, fun moments and also heartfelt. Interesting to see behind the scenes of a Presidential transition. Loved the soundtrack also!”
One RT user was far more critical of the film, writing, “This documentary isn’t a film so much as a high-gloss vanity mirror. It offers no insight, no tension and no curiosity about its subject or the power orbiting her.” The note, however, came from an unverified viewer.
What Has Melania Trump Said About ‘Melania’?
In celebration of Melania being released, the first lady responded to a series of questions via email.
“I believe the Americans and people all over the world should witness the incredible amount of planning and work required when shifting from private citizen to first lady,” she explained. “I take pride in every detail.”
Melania director Brett Ratner also praised the subject of the film for not holding back in the entire process.
“She had a theatrical, big-screen vision for the film right from the start,” he said. “Melania didn’t want a documentary. She didn’t want talking heads. She said, ‘Brett, don’t hold back.’”
