Amazon Lands $40M Melania Trump Documentary Deal

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Jan 09, 2025

Above: Former first lady Melania Trump arrives at the Republican National Convention on July 17, 2024. Image copyright: Jason Almond/Contributor/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imagesstory last updated Jan 09

The Facts

Amazon Prime Video this week announced it has exclusively licensed a documentary about former and incoming First Lady Melania Trump. Filming began in December 2024 and the release is planned for the second half of 2025.
The $40M licensing deal includes the theatrical release and streaming rights, along with a supplementary docuseries featuring unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the life of Pres.-elect Donald Trump's wife.

The Spin

Republican narrative

This documentary is a strategic business decision by Amazon to capitalize on public interest in the enigmatic soon-to-be-again first lady. It also demonstrates Amazon's willingness to engage with conservative audiences after Hollywood and mainstream entertainment media unwisely overlooked her story during her husband's first term.

Democratic narrative

This shady deal seems to be a continuation of Bezos and Amazon's attempts to get into the incoming president's good graces. Although Melania Trump has been slightly more visible since the election, she was unseen during most of the campaign and it's unclear why a movie about her life would make for interesting entertainment.