Big Spender: Amazon's Pricey Bet on Melania

USAThu Jan 29 2026
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Amazon has been making waves with its massive investment in a documentary about Melania Trump. The company shelled out a whopping $40 million for the rights to the film, which is a lot more than what Disney was willing to pay. The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, follows Melania Trump in the lead-up to her husband's second inauguration. The marketing budget alone is a staggering $35 million, which is ten times what other high-profile documentaries have received. This has raised eyebrows in Hollywood, with many questioning whether Amazon is trying to curry favor with the Trump administration. The documentary is set to premiere in 25 theaters across the United States and will eventually roll out to 3, 300 theaters worldwide. The film is produced by Melania Trump herself, adding another layer of intrigue to the project.
Critics have pointed out that the budget for the film is unusually high, especially considering that documentaries of this nature typically cost less than $5 million to produce. The marketing campaign is also unprecedented, with ads set to air during NFL playoff games. Industry insiders have expressed their surprise at the deal, with some even calling it "startling. " The involvement of Brett Ratner, who has faced accusations of sexual misconduct, has also added to the controversy. All of this has led to speculation about Amazon's motives. Some believe that the company is trying to ingratiate itself with the Trump administration, while others see it as a straightforward business decision.
https://localnews.ai/article/big-spender-amazons-pricey-bet-on-melania-69b1c244

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