Donald Trump speaks out at Melania’s $75 million movie premiere as missing family members draw attention
The premiere of MELANIA took place on January 29, and both Donald Trump and Melania Trump were there to mark the moment.
It was Melania’s long-awaited spotlight for her new documentary, and the guest list included a mix of minor celebrities and figures connected to the Trump administration. The event was held at the recently rebranded John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Although expectations for the film as a major box office hit are fairly modest, Melania made it clear she isn’t worried about ticket sales. Speaking to CNN, she said she feels proud of the project regardless of how people react to it.
She explained that some viewers may like the film and others may not, and that either response is fine with her. From her point of view, the goal she set out to achieve has already been met, and that alone makes the film a success in her eyes.
The documentary focuses on a short but intense period roughly 20 days surrounding Donald Trump’s return to the White House. When Melania addressed the audience at the premiere, she pushed back against the idea that the project should be seen as a traditional documentary.
Instead, she described it as a creative experience meant to share moments, perspectives, and personal insights rather than a straightforward factual account.
Donald Trump also spoke briefly with reporters at the event, but quickly turned the moment into a jab at critics. Some have questioned why Amazon reportedly paid $40 million for the rights to the film, and Trump responded by deflecting the criticism toward Barack Obama, claiming Obama was paid a great deal of money and “hasn’t done anything.” Trump added that he had already watched the film ahead of the premiere and described it as glamorous.
Several familiar faces were spotted in the crowd, including Robert F Kennedy Jr, Nicki Minaj, Pete Hegseth, and Donald Trump Jr. Still, many observers were quick to notice who was not there. None of President Trump’s children attended the premiere. His son with Melania, Barron Trump, was absent, as were Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump, his children from his late wife Ivana Trump.
The film is scheduled to open this weekend in at least 1,400 theaters across the United States and in more than 27 countries worldwide. Despite Donald Trump claiming online that tickets are selling out quickly, some moviegoers have shared a very different picture.
Screenshots posted on social media show empty seating charts at certain theaters, with one person noting that not a single ticket had been sold for a late-night opening showing at one of the busiest cinemas in the Jacksonville metro area. Others shared similar images from different locations, suggesting that early ticket sales may be slower than the former president’s online comments suggest.
