Chicago – January 29, 2026
A high-budget film titled “Melania,” centered on former First Lady Melania Trump, is making headlines today as it premieres with a glamorous launch event at the newly renamed Trump Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
The movie is set for a major U.S. release this weekend, opening on approximately 1,500 screens nationwide a rollout considered highly unusual for a film of this genre, which typically receives a more limited or gradual release strategy.
Amazon’s $75 Million Investment Sparks Debate
According to a source familiar with the deal, Amazon acquired the film for $40 million and is reportedly investing an additional $35 million in marketing, bringing the total spending to around $75 million. The source requested anonymity due to restrictions on speaking publicly.
The large budget has raised questions among media and film industry observers.
“It’s just hard to imagine why this number is justified for ‘Melania,’” said Jason Spingarn-Koff, a journalism professor at UC Berkeley, commenting on the scale of the investment.
