Melania Trump’s Cinematic Journey: From First Lady to the Big Screen
Melania Trump is making history with her upcoming feature film “MELANIA,” set for global theatrical release on January 30, 2026. In an exclusive reveal to Fox News, the former First Lady offers audiences an unprecedented glimpse into the pivotal 20 days leading up to her husband’s presidential inauguration. The 104-minute film will be shown in theaters across six continents, including North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates, with Amazon also planning a companion documentary series. “For the first time, global audiences are invited into theaters to witness this pivotal chapter unfold—a private, unfiltered look as I navigate family, business, and philanthropy on my remarkable journey to becoming First Lady of the United States of America,” Mrs. Trump explained. The dramatic trailer opens with her walking through the Capitol rotunda in her iconic inauguration outfit, confidently stating, “Here we go again,” setting the tone for this intimate portrayal.
The film promises to take viewers behind the velvet rope of the presidential transition, offering rare glimpses of the Trump family’s private moments interwoven with the public spectacle of assuming America’s highest office. The trailer showcases touching family scenes featuring Barron Trump and Mrs. Trump’s father, alongside official inaugural preparations and quiet moments in the East Wing. In one particularly revealing scene, Melania is shown refining her husband’s speech, suggesting he present himself as both a “peacemaker and unifier.” This humanizing portrayal extends to security concerns, motorcade movements, and the personal burden of preparing to become First Lady in just under three weeks. Mrs. Trump’s involvement was comprehensive—serving as executive producer and providing creative direction throughout the project, which began filming in December 2024 after President Trump’s election victory the previous month.
The path to bringing this film to audiences involved a fiercely competitive bidding war among major entertainment companies. According to Marc Beckman, Mrs. Trump’s agent and senior advisor who led negotiations, Disney, Netflix, and Paramount all sought exclusive rights to the film. However, Amazon emerged victorious with a historic $40 million deal—reportedly the largest documentary agreement ever made. “Amazon ended up bidding on both [the film and series], and checked all the boxes we were looking for, as they could also deliver a theatrical release,” Beckman explained, correcting reports that Amazon’s bid was triple the nearest competitor. “Yes, Amazon had the highest bid, but they also bid on the most product—series and film,” he clarified. This monumental partnership reflects the extraordinary public interest in Melania’s untold story.
The production team assembled for this cinematic venture brings substantial Hollywood credentials. The film is executive produced by Trump herself alongside Fernando Sulichin of New Element Media, with Brett Ratner of RatPac Entertainment directing. Sources close to the production revealed that Mrs. Trump specifically wanted the film to transcend the documentary format, instead aiming for an “elevated film” with high cinematic quality. “The 20 days of my life, preceding the U.S. Presidential inauguration, constitutes a rare and defining moment—one that warrants meticulous care, integrity, and uncompromising craftsmanship,” the former First Lady stated. Her hands-on approach extended to every aspect of production, from the creative vision to marketing strategies, ensuring the film authentically represents her experience during this historically significant transition.
The film provides unprecedented access to Mrs. Trump’s life during the inauguration period, following her from Trump Tower in New York City to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, and offering behind-the-scenes moments in Washington D.C. In one touching scene from the trailer, Melania calls her husband after his victory, saying “Mr. President” and “congratulations.” When he asks if she watched his speech, she responds, “I did not. Yeah, I will see it on the news,” offering a glimpse into their personal dynamic during this momentous transition. The film’s intimate approach allows viewers to see the private person behind the public persona, something rarely afforded to presidential spouses. As Mrs. Trump puts it in the trailer, “Everyone wants to know. So here it is,” suggesting a level of transparency unusual for someone who has typically maintained a guarded public image.
This cinematic venture follows the successful release of Mrs. Trump’s memoir “Melania” last year, which has remained on the New York Times bestseller list since publication. The book offered personal stories and previously unreleased family photos, with the former First Lady describing the writing process as “an amazing journey filled with emotional highs and lows.” She also released a collector’s edition featuring photographs she personally took during her travels and at home. The upcoming film represents a natural extension of her storytelling journey, moving from the written page to the silver screen. As audiences prepare for this unprecedented look into the life of a First Lady during a critical transition period, Mrs. Trump’s cinematic debut marks a significant moment in how political figures share their stories with the public. “I am proud to share this very specific moment of my life—20 days of intense transition and planning—with moviegoers and fans across the globe,” she concluded, inviting audiences worldwide to witness history through her eyes.
