★ Private Action
Amazon MGM pays $40M for Melania Trump documentary rights
Bezos–Trump Media RelationsCorporate Favors
Filed October 2025$40,000,000
★ The Brief
What happened
On October 9, 2025, Amazon MGM Studios announced it had acquired the rights to "Melania," a documentary directed by Brett Ratner covering the 20 days before the January 2025 inauguration from Melania Trump's perspective. The studio reportedly paid $40 million, for a January 30, 2026 theatrical release followed by a Prime Video run, with a three-part docuseries also planned. Melania Trump participated in the film and serves as a producer.
Who enabled it
Who benefits
Deal or steal?
Amazon MGM paid a reported $40 million for the rights to a documentary in which the sitting president's wife is both the subject and a paid producer, giving her a financial stake in the deal. Amazon donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural, and its founder, Jeff Bezos, attended the inauguration.
Amazon MGM Studios announced on October 9, 2025 that it acquired the rights to 'Melania,' a documentary directed by Brett Ratner covering the 20 days leading up to the January 2025 Presidential Inauguration, as seen through Melania Trump's perspective. The studio reportedly paid $40 million for the rights — described as a staggering sum for a documentary. The film is set for theatrical release on January 30, 2026, followed by a streaming run on Prime Video, with an accompanying three-part docuseries also planned. Melania Trump participated in the film and serves as a producer. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was among the tech executives who attended Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025.
Actors
Who pushed it · 1Who initiated, paid, or pushed the action.
Amazon MGM StudiosAcquired the rights to the Melania Trump documentary for a reported $40 million and announced a January 30, 2026 theatrical release date.
Beneficiaries
Who gained · 1Who stood to gain.
Melania TrumpSubject and producer of the documentary; received a platform and a share of the reported $40 million rights payment as a producer participant.
Further reading
- ★ Government ActionFebruary 2026Moroun lobbies Lutnick before Trump threatens Gordie Howe Bridge
- ★ Government ActionFebruary 2026Trump threatens to block Gordie Howe Bridge opening to punish Canada
- ★ Private ActionJanuary 2026Moroun donates $1M to MAGA Inc. before lobbying against rival bridge
- ★ Private ActionNovember 2025Eli Lilly pledges $27B in U.S. manufacturing under Trump
- ★ Government ActionOctober 2025US government takes 10% equity stake in Trilogy Metals for $35.6M Ambler District investment
- ★ Private ActionOctober 2025Corporations pledge funding for Trump's $300M White House ballroom