The Art of the StealA project of the Save America Movement
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★ Private Action

Amazon MGM pays $40M for Melania Trump documentary rights

The President's Own Brands

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

Amazon MGM Studios

Who benefits

Melania Trump

Deal or steal?

At a reported $40 million, Amazon paid a record sum for a documentary — a flattering portrait of the sitting president's wife, who is both its subject and a paid producer with control over her own image. The deal hands the Trump family a cash windfall and a promotional vehicle at once. The buyer is Jeff Bezos, whose Blue Origin is sharing $13.7 billion in Space Force launch contracts and a $1 billion spaceport tax break, and whose Amazon gave $1 million to the inaugural.

★ Cast your vote

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.

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