Melania Trump’s Film Premiere Notably Lacks Key Attendees

On Thursday night, Melania Trump took center stage at the premiere of her film, offering audiences what she described as an unparalleled glimpse into the presidency. Addressing those gathered at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center, she clarified, “Some have called this a documentary. It is not. It is a creative experience that offers perspectives, insights, and moments that only a few perceive.” The film, titled “Melania: Twenty Days to History,” captures the intense build-up to Donald Trump’s second inauguration, following Melania from Mar-a-Lago to Manhattan. Dressed in a Dolce & Gabbana buttoned dress paired with black stilettos, Melania was accompanied by Donald Trump and an array of celebrities and political figures, including Dr. Phil, Nicki Minaj, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. President Trump, recalling a bygone era, remarked to reporters on the red carpet, “This is like the good old days when the Academy Awards used to get ratings.”

Amidst the glamour, the absence of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was palpable. Initially expected to attend, Noem was embroiled in controversy due to a recent fatal incident involving Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, which has led to mounting calls for her resignation. Meanwhile, Trump praised Tom Homan, newly appointed to spearhead the immigration efforts in Minnesota, stating, “I think he’s terrific, but we have to get rid of the criminals.” When questioned about her inspiration for the film, Melania reflected, “Well, it was my life. You will see humor, you will see grief, you will see fashion, so I’m very proud of the film.” Trump took the opportunity to jab at his predecessor’s Netflix deal, quipping about Amazon’s $40 million agreement for the movie rights: “Ask President Obama who got paid a lot of money and hasn’t done anything. Melania really produced.”

The event was a star-studded affair, with former Trump attorney Alina Habba making a statement in a chic black pant suit, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins shimmering in a glitzy jacket over a dark gown. Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife Kelly stood out in a beige dress, with Johnson hinting at a potential short government shutdown over ICE funding. Pete Hegseth arrived with his wife Jennifer, who dazzled in a glittering midnight-blue jumpsuit, while Diana Zeldin, wife of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, turned heads in a daring white ensemble. Dr. Oz, with his family in tow, added to the familial atmosphere. Health Secretary RFK Jr., Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump-Kennedy Center director Ric Grenell all opted for classic navy blue suits with white shirts. The film, directed by Brett Ratner, provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most private first ladies in recent history.

The President and First Lady also held a private screening at the White House the Saturday before release, controversially deciding to go forward with the event just hours after a CBP agent shot and killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Melania told The Five as part of her promotion for the movie on Wednesday that she hopes people will ‘know me a little bit more’ by watching the film. ‘I’m a very private person and a very selective person. What I do, what I don’t do; when I talk, when I don’t talk. And that’s my choice,’ she told Fox. ‘Nobody is in charge of me and I’m not in charge of anybody else.’ The idea for the movie was born immediately after Trump’s election victory, with negotiations beginning just days later on November 18 last year. The First Lady was hands-on with every aspect of the production and insisted on cinematic excellence. She did not want it to feel like a regular documentary, but an ‘elevated film,’ insiders revealed.

Amazon MGM Studios won a bidding war among Hollywood studios to produce Melania, in what many saw as a way from billionaire owner Jeff Bezos to curry favor with the President. Disney and Paramount lost out. Marc Beckman, Melania’s agent and top adviser, led the high-stakes negotiations with Amazon boss Andy Jassy. ‘I’m honored to be working with Amazon – they’ve been great partners from the minute we started to negotiate the deal, through production and now as we gear up for the film’s release,’ Beckman said. The film marks another milestone for the First Lady following the release of her memoir, also titled Melania, which has dominated the New York Times bestseller list since its release in October 2024. The trailer for the film concludes with Melania revealing why she wanted to make the film as she navigates a second term with a shrewd experience about the scrutiny that comes with the role. ‘Everyone wants to know. So here it is,’ she says.