Journalists from several major news organizations were prevented from attending the premiere of the new Melania Trump documentary this week. The Amazon MGM Studios film debuted at the Trump Kennedy Center under tight press controls. The screening left many reporters outside the theater.
Amazon restricts several media outlets from attending Melania Trump documentary screening
Amazon MGM Studios limited press access at the premiere of its new documentary on Melania Trump on Thursday, January 29. They prevented a wide range of major news outlets from attending the screening despite their presence at the venue. The event, held at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington, preceded the film’s theatrical release on Friday, January 30.
The documentary examines Melania Trump’s life and public image during the weeks leading up to Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration as president. Journalists had been instructed to arrive hours before the evening red carpet, with check in beginning mid afternoon for a scheduled 6 p.m. arrival window. Many reporters waited through the carpet proceedings before learning that entry into the Opera House would be restricted.
According to Variety, reporters from The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Associated Press and Vanity Fair were among those denied entry. Aside from journalists who had received separate invitations in advance, the only members of the press line allowed into the screening were One America News anchor Dan Ball and his wife Peyton Drew, a producer for the network.
President Donald Trump and Melania Trump attended the premiere. Several administration officials including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Pete Hegseth, Lee Zeldin and Mike Johnson were also in attendance. Filmmaker Brett Ratner and producer Marc Beckman were also present for the premiere.
Although the screening itself was closed to most outlets, Trump remained on the carpet for a short time. The President responded to questions from reporters while Melania Trump posed for photographs in a black Dolce & Gabbana outfit.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.
