First Lady Melania Trump unveiled the first trailer for her highly anticipated documentary on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, offering a rare glimpse into her return to the White House and the intense preparation required to assume America’s most scrutinized ceremonial role.
The 104-minute film, titled “Melania,” provides unprecedented access to the 20 days leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration through exclusive footage of critical meetings, private conversations and never-before-seen environments. Amazon MGM Studios secured the documentary for a staggering $40 million, with the film set to debut globally in theaters on Jan. 30, 2026, before transitioning to Prime Video alongside a three-part docuseries.
The trailer opens with a striking moment as Melania Trump walks into the U.S. Capitol rotunda for the swearing-in ceremony, wearing her now-iconic dark fitted dress and wide-brimmed hat that covered her eyes. She turns to the camera and says, “Here we go again.”
Directed by Brett Ratner, the documentary follows Melania Trump as she orchestrates inauguration plans, navigates the complexities of the White House transition, and moves her family back to the nation’s capital. The film captures her involvement in planning one of Washington’s most elaborate ceremonies, which requires months of coordination between multiple government agencies, military units, and private vendors to execute properly.
One particularly revealing scene in the trailer shows the first lady entering a room where President Donald Trump stands at a podium rehearsing a speech. When he declares his proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker, Melania sternly adds from the sidelines: “Peacemaker and unifier.”
The documentary provides glimpses of the Trump family at their Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, their son Barron Trump, and behind-the-scenes footage of the design process for Melania Trump’s inauguration ball gown and her widely discussed inauguration ceremony hat. The film also includes moments aboard Air Force One and throughout various White House locations as she resumes her duties as first lady.
Melania Trump serves as executive producer on the project, marking a significant step in her plans to launch her own production company. This arrangement gives her substantial control over how her story is told, a level of influence unusual for documentary subjects, particularly those in political positions.
The trailer concludes with a phone conversation between the first lady and the president. Standing in a gilded, high-rise office, she says, “Hi Mr. President, congratulations!” President Trump then asks her over the phone, “Did you watch it?” to which Melania replies, “I did not, yeah, I will see it on the news.” The exchange showcases a lighter moment that suggests the documentary won’t shy away from humanizing moments.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos took a personal interest in the documentary, a move that sources indicate helped fortify his relationship with the Trump administration. The substantial investment reflects Amazon’s commitment to high-profile political content and its strategy to compete in the documentary space.
The choice of Ratner as director has drawn attention due to his complicated history in Hollywood. Six women accused him of misconduct in 2017, allegations he has denied. However, he appears to be mounting a comeback, as he’s set to direct “Rush Hour 4” after President Trump personally requested that Paramount revive the franchise.
The global theatrical release spans multiple continents, with the film appearing in theaters across North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates. This widespread distribution strategy is unusual for political documentaries, which typically receive limited theatrical runs before moving to streaming platforms.
Presidential spouse documentaries have historically provided valuable insights into the often-misunderstood role of first lady, a position that carries no official job description yet comes with enormous public expectations. First ladies typically champion specific causes, serve as White House hostesses for state dinners and diplomatic events, and maintain their own staff and office within the East Wing.
The accompanying three-part docuseries will follow Melania Trump’s movements between Trump Tower in New York City, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, and Washington, D.C., offering extended coverage of her transition back into public life. The series format allows for more detailed exploration of topics that the feature-length theatrical film may only touch upon briefly.
With its substantial budget, high-profile subject, and controversial director, “Melania” represents one of the most ambitious documentary projects about a sitting first lady. The film arrives at a time when public interest in the Trump family remains intense, and Melania Trump’s relatively private nature has only amplified curiosity about her life behind closed doors.
