White House Hosts Lavish Screening Amid Global Unrest
As mass protests erupted worldwide following the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, the White House hosted an exclusive screening of Melania Trump's documentary. The event, held amidst global tension, gathered high-profile guests including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Queen Rania of Jordan, and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
Extravagant Details and Lucrative Deal
The screening featured custom-made popcorn buckets and personalized gift boxes adorned with the first lady's portrait. The documentary, scheduled for release on January 30, represents a landmark deal for Amazon MGM Studios, which paid a staggering $40 million for the rights—the highest amount the streaming platform has ever paid for content.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Melania Trump retained approximately 70% of the licensing fee, amounting to $28 million personally. The film offers rare behind-the-scenes access to the elusive former first lady, who maintained significant privacy during both of Donald Trump's presidential terms.
Chaotic Production Process Revealed
Multiple crew members speaking to Rolling Stone described the production as "highly disorganized" and "very chaotic." One production member explained, "It was very difficult because of the chaos that was around everything. Usually for a documentary, it's like, 'Follow the subject.' Well, it's Melania Trump. With the first lady and Secret Service, you can't just do things you usually do."
The documentary captures Melania in the weeks leading up to the inauguration, with production challenges including a travel coordinator specifically for filming aboard the Trump Organization's Boeing 757 during flights to Mar-a-Lago. Notably, about two-thirds of the production team requested not to be formally credited in the final film.
Controversial Director and Troubling Behavior
The project marks director Brett Ratner's first film since 2017, when six women publicly accused him of sexual harassment and assault—allegations he has denied. Ratner's name recently resurfaced in connection with newly unclassified Epstein files showing him with Epstein associate Jean-Luc Brunel.
Production team members expressed significant discomfort with Ratner's involvement. "I feel a little bit uncomfortable with the propaganda element of this," one person said. "But Brett Ratner was the worst part of working on this project." Many were unaware of his involvement until days before filming began.
Multiple crew members described disruptive behavior from Ratner on set:
- Leaving "a trail of detritus—discarded orange peels, gum wrappers—wherever he went"
- Chewing gum and throwing it into a crew member's coffee cup without acknowledgment
- Eating his own food in front of starving crew during prohibited meal breaks
One crew member recalled, "Brett, unknowingly or maliciously, got his own food, went up there, was just eating it and just licking his fingers in the grubbiest way possible."
Conflicting Perspectives on the Project
Despite widespread criticism, some defended Ratner's work. One individual praised him as "an intuitive, incredible, emotional, intelligent director" who approached the project as a filmmaker rather than a documentarian.
Interestingly, while Melania Trump was described as "friendly and very engaged" during production, Ratner was characterized as "the complete opposite." One person noted, "There was more talk about Brett being slimy than there was about Melania."
Limited Revelations Expected
Despite extraordinary access to the first lady and the substantial financial investment, production members cautioned against expecting major revelations. "Some people are boring," one crew member said. "Some people also never let their guard down." Melania Trump remains largely enigmatic despite decades in the public eye.
Ratner has reportedly grown close to both Donald and Melania Trump, living in a villa at Mar-a-Lago and continuing to film the former first lady even after post-production concluded. The documentary's release on January 30 will reveal whether the chaotic production process and controversial director resulted in compelling content about one of America's most private first ladies.
