Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel delivered a scathing critique of Melania Trump’s documentary film “Melania” on Thursday night, taking aim at everything from the premiere’s guest list to the film’s reported box office prospects.
The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, held its premiere Thursday night at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. The film, which follows Melania Trump before the 2025 inauguration, has been released in theaters nationwide on January 30.
During his late-night show, Kimmel mocked the caliber of celebrities who attended the Kennedy Center premiere. “Not since The Terminator has there been this much excitement for a movie about a European cyborg,” Kimmel said on his program. He also commented on the premiere’s attendees and the film’s prospects.
The guest list for the premiere included Nicki Minaj, Dr. Phil, Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Eric Adams, Dr. Oz, and Todd and Julie Chrisley. However, the mainstream press was barred from entering the event. Notably absent were most of Donald Trump’s children, including 19-year-old Barron Trump and Ivanka.
Kimmel also targeted the film’s director, Brett Ratner, who faced sexual misconduct allegations in 2017.
The financial investment in “Melania” has been substantial. Amazon MGM Studios paid $40 million for the film and spent an additional $35 million on marketing, bringing the total investment to $75 million. Despite this massive budget, box office projections remain grim. Analysts predict the film will earn between $1 million and $5 million on its opening weekend.
Early reviews have been particularly harsh, with critics describing the film as vapid. Nick Hilton gave the documentary just one star.
Social media reports have shown screenings in near-empty theaters across the country. In Los Angeles and Culver City, billboards promoting the film have been defaced by various individuals, including the artist collective Indecline.
Behind the scenes, the production was reportedly troubled. The film was shot during a compressed 20-day filming window. Crew members described the set as chaotic and disorganized, with two-thirds of the New York crew requesting that their names be removed from the project.
The film has also been review-bombed on Letterboxd even before its official theatrical release.
As part of the promotional campaign, Melania Trump rang the opening bell at the NYSE, a high-profile appearance designed to generate interest in the documentary.
The absence of Ivanka Trump from the premiere has sparked speculation about family dynamics within the Trump family.
The compressed filming schedule of just 20 days is highly unusual for a documentary project, particularly one with such a substantial budget.
The crew’s reported dissatisfaction with the production process is significant. The request by two-thirds of the New York crew to have their names removed from the project suggests deep concerns about the final product or the production process itself.
Brett Ratner’s involvement as director has been one of the controversial aspects of the project, given that he faced sexual misconduct allegations in 2017.
The defacement of billboards in Los Angeles and Culver City reflects the political polarization surrounding the Trump family and the skepticism many have expressed about the documentary’s purpose and content.
The stark contrast between the film’s massive budget and its projected opening weekend earnings suggests a potential financial challenge for Amazon MGM Studios. Even at the high end of projections, a $5 million opening weekend would represent a fraction of the studio’s investment.
As the film enters its theatrical run, the combination of critical derision, empty theaters, and online mockery suggests that “Melania” faces significant challenges.
