Donald Trump and Melania Trump made a high-profile appearance at the Kennedy Center for the premiere of Melania, a self-titled documentary offering a rare glimpse into the former first lady’s perspective. The event marked a notable moment for the couple as they returned to the spotlight ahead of the film’s global release.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend documentary premiere
President Donald Trump joined First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the Kennedy Center for the premiere of Melania, her self-titled documentary. The couple walked on a black carpet, styled to reflect the film’s black-and-white promotional theme. The event occurred one day before the documentary’s global theatrical release on January 30. The premiere marked a major public appearance for the Trumps amid the administration’s ongoing immigration policy controversies.
The documentary offers behind-the-scenes footage from the 20 days leading up to Melania’s return to the White House. Melania described the film as “beautiful,” “emotional,” “fashionable,” and “cinematic.” In her words, “I think the people will judge it for themselves.” Amazon MGM Studios acquired Melania in a $40 million deal. The project also serves as a return to Hollywood for director Brett Ratner, who was previously blacklisted after multiple misconduct allegations in 2017 (via People).
On January 28, Melania promoted the film at the New York Stock Exchange, where she rang the opening bell and addressed business leaders. “Superior storytelling drives culture and in turn moves markets,” she said. “In the near future, cultural influence will matter as much as economic power.” She emphasized the importance of storytelling in forging emotional connections with audiences, stating, “We want to feel human.”
She highlighted the power of media in memory-making: “What do you remember when you hear Rolling Stones? Michael Jackson? Films bring families and friends together.” On January 25, she hosted a private White House screening for friends and family, calling it a “historic moment.”
