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Approximately two-thirds of the crew members who worked on Melania<\/em> in New York requested not to have their names credited on the documentary, according to a new report from Rolling Stone.<\/a><\/p>\n The film, which follows First Lady Melania Trump during the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump\u2019s second inauguration, opens in theaters nationwide on Friday. Amazon MGM Studios paid $40 million for the rights and has reportedly spent an additional $35 million on marketing.<\/p>\n MELANIA, in theaters Friday pic.twitter.com\/y5KeeUFP3v<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) January 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cThe Worst Part\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Crew members who spoke to Rolling Stone described the production as \u201chighly disorganized\u201d and \u201cvery chaotic,\u201d with long hours and difficult conditions.<\/p>\n Director Brett Ratner<\/a> \u2014 who has not made a film since six women accused him of sexual assault and harassment in 2017 \u2014 was a particular point of frustration.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel a little bit uncomfortable with the propaganda element of this,\u201d one crew member said. \u201cBut Brett Ratner was the worst part of working on this project.\u201d<\/p>\n From @BrettRatner<\/a> on Instagram:<\/p>\n \u201cThank you @melaniatrump<\/a> for the opportunity to collaborate with you and entrusting me to bring your vision to life. It\u2019s been honor to work beside you during this past year. I look forward to showing the world what an incredible First Lady you\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/TwBKdGvM4X<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) January 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Another staffer described a day when the crew wasn\u2019t allowed to break for meals \u2014 but Ratner got his own food anyway. \u201cBrett, unknowingly or maliciously, got his own food, went up there, was just eating it and just licking his fingers in grubbiest way possible, either being a dick or having no awareness whatsoever to the fact that everybody else is working and no one\u2019s eating.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI Would Really Feel Great About It\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n One crew member told Rolling Stone they hope the film fails.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, if it does flop, I would really feel great about it,\u201d the staffer said.<\/p>\n Another person who will be credited said they now regret the decision. \u201cI\u2019m much more alarmed now than I was a year ago.\u201d<\/p>\n Melania Herself<\/strong><\/p>\n The First Lady drew no complaints. Staffers called her \u201cfriendly,\u201d \u201ctotally nice,\u201d and \u201cvery engaged\u201d \u2014 \u201cthe opposite of Brett Ratner,\u201d one said.<\/p>\n Melania served as executive producer and was involved in every aspect of production, including the creative process, trailer, color correction, music selection, and marketing. She has reportedly earned $28 million from the licensing deal.<\/p>\n The Countdown Begins. Reserve Tickets Now. \u2014 Amazon MGM Studios (@AmazonMGMStudio) January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The film opens Friday in approximately 1,400 theaters. BoxOfficePro projects a $1-2 million opening weekend \u2014 against Amazon\u2019s reported $75 million investment.<\/p>\n Rolling Stone\u2019s Tessa Stuart has the full report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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MELANIA
January 30, 2026 [Only In Theaters Worldwide] pic.twitter.com\/ErZE7mxL55<\/a><\/p>\n