Amazon MGM Studios' high-profile premiere of Melania, a documentary centered on First Lady Melania Trump, ignited immediate controversy Thursday after several major U.S. news organizations were denied access while select right-wing outlets were permitted to attend. Journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Associated Press and Vanity Fair were blocked from entering the Kennedy Center, according to multiple people familiar with the screening, while One America News Network was among the outlets granted entry.
The selective media access intensified criticism of the film's rollout and renewed accusations that the project is being tightly stage-managed. The controversy comes as the Trump administration faces heightened scrutiny over federal immigration enforcement following deadly ICE-related shootings, a backdrop critics described as "tone-deaf" timing for a lavish cultural event.
According to Variety, even within the restricted pool, only a small number of right-wing journalists were allowed into the Opera House for the 6 p.m. screening. Dan Ball, an anchor at One America News, attended with his wife, Peyton Drew, who produces content for the network. Drew commented publicly on the scene, saying she felt "overdressed," before reassuring herself that they were legitimate invitees.
Several reporters attempted to gain access through informal channels or prior contacts with Trump-aligned figures, a strategy that has occasionally worked at past political events. Those efforts failed, underscoring what multiple journalists described as a clear divide in media treatment that favored outlets aligned with the administration.
Despite the restrictions, the premiere drew prominent Republican figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Lee Zeldin, Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Director Brett Ratner and producer Marc Beckman were also in attendance. Beckman defended the project's reception, saying early ticket sales were "very positive," even as public booking pages showed sparse attendance in several markets.
Beckman also addressed reports that some crew members asked not to be credited. He acknowledged that a number of contributors opted out due to discomfort with the administration's involvement, though he said key creative figures would still be credited. Ratner added that daily and short-term hires across filming locations declined credit for safety or personal reasons.
President Donald Trump spoke briefly with reporters at the event, fielding questions on federal funding and the Federal Reserve. Asked about the documentary, he said he "wasn't involved with that," while calling it "very important" and "a big deal," emphasizing that it was focused solely on Melania Trump.
The controversy has unfolded alongside weak commercial expectations. Industry estimates put the film's acquisition cost at about $40 million, with roughly $35 million spent on marketing. Box office projections range between $3 million and $5 million, far below the total investment.
Early sales have been thin. In the U.K., several London screenings reportedly sold only one ticket, with major Vue cinemas showing zero advance bookings for multiple showings. The film was also pulled from release in South Africa after distributor concerns, according to people familiar with the decision.
Melania is scheduled for a wide theatrical run before becoming available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
