Melania Trump documentary 'Melania' premieres at Kennedy Center
First lady Melania Trump is giving the public a rare glimpse into her private life with the global release of "Melania," a documentary she produced about the 20 days leading up to the 2025 inauguration of her husband, President Donald Trump.
The president and first lady attended the film's premiere at the Kennedy Center on Thursday night for an invite-only screening of the film.
“I want to show the audience my life, what it takes to be a first lady again and (the) transition from private citizen back to the White House,” Melania Trump told reporters, according to The Associated Press, later adding of her film, “It’s beautiful, it’s emotional, it’s fashionable, it’s cinematic and I’m very proud of it."
The Trumps also screened "Melania" at a smaller invite-only event at the White House last weekend that was attended by "friends, family and cultural iconoclasts," according to Melania Trump.
"I am deeply humbled to have been surrounded by an inspiring room of friends, family, and cultural iconoclasts at the White House last night. Each of these individuals each brought their unique vision to the world, making a lasting impression," the first lady wrote on X on Jan. 25, alongside a photo of herself in front of a movie screen at the White House.
"Our personal stories endure time and serve as a reminder of our mutual obligation to one another," she wrote. "It was an honor to present my new film, MELANIA, ahead of its global launch."
The film is being released on 1,500 screens across the United States and on another 1,000 screens around the world on Friday, according to the AP.
In promotion for "Melania," the first lady rang bell at the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday, describing her film as a "window" into history.
"My new film, 'Melania,' provides a window into an important period for America, the 47th presidential inauguration," she said, according to the AP. "For the first time in history, people will witness the 20 days leading up to the inauguration, through the eyes of an incoming first lady."
"Melania" was produced by AmazonMGM Studios and was directed by Brett Ratner.
A trailer for the film released in December shows Melania Trump as she appears to be walking into her husband's second inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20, 2025.
"Here we go again," the first lady says to the camera.
The premiere of “Melania” Thursday night at the Kennedy Center comes one month after the board of the arts center, which President Trump now chairs and is newly filled with his appointees, voted "unanimously" to rename the building the "Trump-Kennedy Center." The signage was updated a day later, on Dec. 19.
