Amazon Prime Will Release a Melania Trump Documentary
New York TimesJAN 3
Amazon Lands $40M Melania Trump Documentary Deal
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 Images
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.