According to recent data from YouGov, Melania Trump has been designated the least favored first lady in contemporary polling for a second time. The data was released in late December 2025.
The approval rating for the first lady has plummeted to 36%, reaching an all-time low. Further data reveals that 43% of Americans do not favor her, and 18% claim to have a neutral perspective towards her.
When exiting the White House in 2021, Melania Trump’s approval rating was 42%, the lowest ever recorded for a first lady at that point. She has now outdone her own record for unpopularity.
This negative public sentiment sharply contrasts with the popularity of prior first ladies like Michelle Obama, who enjoyed considerably higher approval ratings. Michelle Obama, during her White House tenure, led numerous initiatives that shaped her unique identity, including efforts to increase educational opportunities for Americans and address childhood obesity.
The release of the YouGov data coincides with renewed focus on Melania Trump’s public role and entrepreneurial pursuits. Amazon MGM Studios paid $40 million for the rights to a documentary about the first lady. The company has started a production firm named Muse Films, set to premiere with the documentary “Melania.”
A trailer for the documentary, released in mid-December 2025, features scenes from the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. The film presents Melania Trump as she coordinated inauguration preparations and navigated the intricate White House transition process.
The documentary showcases Melania Trump in various settings including the White House and Mar-a-Lago, among others. In one scene, she is seen on a phone call with her husband, congratulating him and stating she will see it on the news.
The film is scheduled for theater release on January 30, 2026, and will subsequently be available on Prime Video. Brett Ratner, who was accused of sexual misconduct by six women in 2017 during a wave of allegations in Hollywood, serves as the director of the documentary.
Journalist Mary Jordan, in her 2020 book “The Art of Her Deal,” states that Melania Trump and son Barron Trump hold dual U.S.-Slovenian citizenship. Melania Trump became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2006 after relocating from Slovenia to the U.S. She maintains connections with her home country through language and citizenship for her family.
A new legislative proposal could potentially impact the Trump family’s citizenship status. Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) introduced a bill to prohibit dual citizenship in December 2025. Titled the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, the legislation would require U.S. citizens with foreign citizenship to renounce their non-U.S. citizenship within one year of the law’s enactment.
Michael Wildes, an immigration lawyer who has previously represented Melania Trump, criticized the proposed legislation. Wildes referred to the bill as “preposterous” and highlighted that the United States allows its citizens to hold dual nationality.
Donald Trump’s net worth is estimated at $5.1 billion, while Melania Trump is valued at $70 million. These financial figures reflect the couple’s entrepreneurial ventures and real estate holdings amassed over the years.
Social media users have reacted to Melania Trump’s recent post about her accomplishments in 2025. Some criticized the timing while others questioned the validity of specific claims in her list of achievements, noting it was posted shortly before the release of the YouGov polling data.
The negative public sentiment towards Melania Trump can be attributed to various factors, including her affiliation with Donald Trump’s highly divisive political image, her subdued public profile, and several controversies during her White House tenure. She has maintained a relatively private presence compared to her predecessors, with limited public appearances and media interaction.
The documentary and the launch of the production company mark Melania Trump’s most prominent public ventures since her return to the White House. The film promises exclusive footage of critical meetings and private conversations, providing what producers describe as unprecedented access to the first lady’s inner circle.
Barron Trump continues to remain mostly out of the public eye, with Melania Trump fiercely safeguarding his privacy throughout his father’s political career.
