Melania Trump’s new documentary film is set to premiere in theaters on January 30. While Donald Trump has enthusiastically promoted the project as a “must-watch,” early ticket sales suggest a far less enthusiastic response — and the First Lady is now facing online mockery as a result.
Just weeks before Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration last year, Melania announced what she described as her latest major venture: a documentary chronicling her life. Titled Melania, the film was reportedly licensed by Amazon for around $40 million through her production company.
“So I had an idea to make a movie, to make a film about my life,” Melania told Fox News at the time. “My life is incredible. It’s incredibly busy. I told my agent I have this idea, so please go out and make a deal for me. We started production in November and we are shooting right now. It’s day-to-day life — what I’m doing, my responsibilities — things people don’t really know and will finally see.”
Originally slated for release in the fourth quarter of 2025, the documentary’s premiere was later moved up. Beginning January 30, Melania will be screened in cinemas across the United States.
The film has been eagerly anticipated by some — particularly supporters of Donald Trump. The president himself took to social media earlier this week to promote the release.
“MELANIA, the Movie, is a MUST WATCH,” Trump wrote on X. “Get your tickets today — selling out, FAST!”
However, the reality appears to tell a different story. Ticket sales for the documentary have reportedly been sluggish, with social media users sharing images of seating charts from theaters around the country showing few — and in some cases zero — tickets sold.
Not a single ticket sold for the opening night 9:55pm showing of Melania at the busiest movie theater in the metro-Jacksonville area. pic.twitter.com/NZz7T7PkwS
— Travis Akers 🇺🇸 (@travisakers) January 27, 2026
According to journalist Rob Shuter, the weak demand has prompted Republican clubs in several conservative-leaning areas to step in. Writing on his Substack, Shuter claims these groups have been quietly buying large blocks of tickets — or even entire screenings — in an effort to avoid the appearance of empty theaters.
“This isn’t organic demand,” one insider reportedly told Shuter. “It’s about optics. Empty theaters look terrible.”
Sources allege that in some cases, tickets have been heavily discounted or even given away for free through GOP-affiliated websites. Even so, demand remains low.
“They’re struggling to give the tickets away,” another source said. “Some screenings barely sell unless the party steps in.”
A third insider added, “It feels less like a movie night and more like a loyalty check.”
The situation has also sparked discussion online about what movie theaters do when no one shows up for a screening. On Reddit, one user asked whether theaters still run a movie if no tickets are sold.
Responses varied, but several former cinema employees said the film is typically started anyway — at least briefly. “They’d let it run for about 15 to 20 minutes in case someone showed up late,” one user explained. “If no one came, they’d shut it off. Those were my favorite auditoriums to clean.”
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| WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 03: U.S. first lady Melania Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion on the “Take It Down Act” in the Mike Mansfield Room at the U.S. Capitol on March 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. The “Take It Down Act” expands protections for victims of non-consensual sharing of sexual images, covering AI-generated content including deepfake pornography. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images) |
Despite the lackluster sales, Melania Trump appears unfazed. Following a private screening at the White House on January 25, she shared her thoughts on X.
“MELANIA, the film — a historic moment…” she wrote. “I am deeply humbled to have been surrounded by an inspiring room of friends, family, and cultural iconoclasts at the White House last night.”
She added that the film reflects the enduring power of personal stories and described the early screening as an honor ahead of the documentary’s global release.
Whether Melania gains momentum at the box office remains to be seen.
Do you plan to watch Melania Trump’s new documentary? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments on Facebook.
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