A documentary flop earned Melania Trump $10.7 million

The Documentary 'Melania'

According to Главком: Despite weak box office performance, the documentary 'Melania' proved highly profitable for its subject, former first lady Melania Trump. The film covers 20 days of her life just before President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. According to filings with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Melania reported earning $10.71 million from the project. Combined income from other ventures, including memoir sales and NFTs, pushed her total earnings past $17.2 million.

Commercial Details and Political Controversy

Amazon MGM Studios invested roughly $35 million in marketing the film and spent $40 million to acquire it. Worldwide, the movie brought in only about $16.6 million at the box office - far short of expectations. The deal sparked immediate political backlash. Democratic lawmakers criticized the arrangement, with Senator Elizabeth Warren calling it a

“bribe in plain sight.”

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos dismissed those claims, insisting the purchase was a standard business decision.

Filming began in December 2024, and the premiere took place in late 2025. The movie was directed by Brett Ratner, best known for 'Rush Hour' and 'X-Men: The Last Stand.' In addition to the film earnings, Melania Trump made over $520,000 from her memoir and $6.01 million from NFT sales and digital collectibles. These figures show that despite the movie’s poor theatrical run, the project was financially rewarding for her.

Although the documentary failed to achieve commercial success in theaters, strong revenue from memoirs and NFTs highlights the enduring power of Melania Trump’s personal brand. The political firestorm surrounding the film also illustrates how media projects tied to political figures can become flashpoints for public debate and criticism. These dynamics may shape future ventures involving high-profile personalities, especially amid shifting political and social trends in the United States.