Insights and Oversights: Analyzing the Melania Trump Documentary
From televised cabinet meetings to late-night Truth Social posts, US President Donald Trump has rarely stepped out of the spotlight since he resumed office in January. But more often than not, he's done it without his wife. So where is Melania?
A new documentary co-produced by the first lady herself aims to answer that question. Melania: 20 Days to History promises viewers an intimate glimpse into Melania Trump's life in the days leading up to her husband's January 2025 inauguration.
The film opened in cinemas across the US on Friday to controversy. It has received significant attention from administration critics and watchdogs, who have criticized the project's funding and dismissed the timing of its release as insensitive, coinciding with mass protests over two fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis.
Politics aside, those seeking answers to how Trump spends her time might find the film unsatisfying; much of it features Melania Trump in transit, at public events, or drifting between meetings to review fabric samples and dinnerware.
Yet, small interactions with her closest friends offer glimpses of how the famously enigmatic first lady is adjusting to her husband's second term. She states, Everyone wants to know, so here it is, setting the stage for what viewers might learn from the film.
Fleeting Off-Script Moments
Early on, Trump is clear about her intent: I want to show the American people my journey from private citizen to first lady. The film briefly touches on the controversies surrounding its creation, showing Trump's staff fielding inquiries from journalists about its commission.
Melania is a co-production from Trump herself and director Brett Ratner, along with other partners including Amazon MGM Studios. This is Ratner's first project since being accused of sexual misconduct in 2017. Much of the film takes place at Trump Tower in New York and Mar-a-Lago, showcasing only the inner workings as Trump meets with her trusted stylists and event planners.
At several points, Ratner prompts Trump to share more about herself—her favorite music, for instance, revealing a fondness for Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. It appears to be an effort to tap into personal and relatable moments.
Her Most Personal Struggle
Trump shares candid moments about the grief of her mother's recent passing, describing it as overwhelming. She discusses how her mother, Amalija Knavs, died in January 2024, expressing her enduring love in a poignant revelation.
Donald Trump remarks in the film that his wife had a hard time with her mother's death, which is demonstrated during the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, coinciding with the anniversary of her mom's passing.
Inside Her Small Inner Circle
Throughout the documentary, Donald Trump appears only in select moments, offering praise, while her warmest relationships seem to be with her stylist and France's First Lady Brigitte Macron. Both women are seen discussing shared concerns about youth anxiety and social media use.
However, broader family dynamics seem absent; children are scarcely present, only appearing in crowds at public events. Melania speaks fondly of her son Barron but stresses the importance of allowing him to live freely.
Complicated Role of First Lady
The film suggests Melania's discomfort with her role as First Lady, reflecting on the loss of privacy and the structured nature of her obligations: You have your schedule, the White House schedule, the president's schedule. You need to be a mother, wife, daughter, friend. Her moments of societal critique feel real, yet she refrains from offering specific policy goals.
In the end, while Melania Trump seeks to portray comprehensible aspects of her life and struggles, the documentary highlights gaps in revealing the broader political implications and her personal viewpoints as First Lady.
