Amazon Blocks Major Media From Exclusive ‘Melania’ Documentary Premiere

A private screening of the documentary Melania at the Trump Kennedy Center created strong reactions after several major news outlets were not allowed inside. According to multiple reports, journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Vanity Fair were refused tickets to the invite-only event, leaving only a small number of media figures approved to attend.

The film, backed by Amazon MGM Studios, is set to open on January 30. The company reportedly spent about $40 million to secure the rights and another $35 million promoting the project. Still, early estimates suggest the movie could bring in only $3 million to $5 million during its opening weekend. Images of empty theaters have already started circulating online, but producer Marc Beckman pushed back on the concern, saying the real numbers are tracking very positively.

Only One America News anchor Dan Ball and producer Peyton Drew were allowed past the red carpet and into the screening. Drew even joked about her formal look, saying, I feel overdressed, but we’re attendees.

Several political figures walked the carpet, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Pete Hegseth, and Mike Johnson. Director Brett Ratner and producer Marc Beckman were also present. At one point, the mood reportedly grew tense when Ball encouraged officials to avoid what he called the fake news line and referred to other reporters as mongrels while speaking with former advisor Alina Habba.

President Donald Trump stopped to answer questions from reporters despite the limited access. When asked about the film’s large budget, he said he wasn’t involved with that but described the documentary as very important and a big deal.

The project marks Ratner’s first major directing effort since facing s**** misconduct allegations in 2017. Some reports claim that a few crew members asked not to be credited because of their views on the current administration. Ratner addressed the issue in an interview with Variety, saying, I understand if a liberal is working on the movie and they don’t want to be credited but they want to feed their family. I don’t blame anybody for that.

Supporters at the event said the documentary could help reshape how the public sees the First Lady. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised her involvement in policy topics like children’s health and food standards, stating, I think she’s been portrayed as a one-dimensional figure, but that’s not who she is.

MELANIA, the film, exclusively in theaters worldwide on January 30th, 2026. pic.twitter.com/n2kloQ4JwW

— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) December 17, 2025

The film includes footage from the 2025 campaign and interviews filmed at Mar-a-Lago. After a short theatrical run, it is expected to stream on Prime Video in late February.

The premiere followed a week of heavy promotion that included a high-profile White House dinner attended by major public figures. Meanwhile, Melania Trump has largely stayed out of the spotlight since the inauguration, focusing on her “Be Best” work and helping oversee updates to the Kennedy Center. She is also said to be preparing a photography book titled Visions for release later in 2026.

The restricted press access has added another layer of controversy to a film already arriving during a tense political moment. Some analysts believe the public response will show whether audiences are open to a deeper look at the First Lady or if political divisions will affect turnout.

Blocking major media outlets from a film screening almost always fuels more curiosity and criticism than the movie itself. It raises questions about transparency and who controls the narrative. At the same time, the attention could drive more people to watch just to see what the debate is about. What do you think — was limiting the press a smart move or a mistake? Share your thoughts in the comments.