Donald Trump Joins Melania Trump on Black Carpet at Premiere of Her ‘Beautiful, Emotional, Fashionable’ Documentary

 

Donald Trump Joins Melania Trump on Black Carpet at Premiere of Her ‘Beautiful, Emotional, Fashionable’ Documentary

President Donald Trump accompanied first lady Melania Trump to the Kennedy Center premiere of her new documentary, Melania, on Thursday, Jan. 29.

The first couple walked the red carpet, which was made black to match the film's black-and-white marketing aesthetic, on Thursday evening before the film is set to be screened for an exclusive audience.

Asked to describe making the film in three words, Melania said, "I think the people will judge it for themselves," before adding that it's "beautiful," "emotional," "fashionable," and "cinematic."

Melania, which Amazon MGM Studios acquired in a stunning $40 million deal, reaches theaters globally on Friday, Jan. 30. The film serves as a comeback for director Brett Ratner, who was blacklisted from Hollywood after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017.

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, Melania appeared on Wall Street in front of business leaders to tease her film and ring the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell.

During a brief speech, she said the documentary marks "the first time in history" that people will see the lead-up to an inauguration through a first lady's eyes, describing her husband's return to office as an "important period for America."

Director Brett Ratner and Melania Trump's agent, Eric Beckman, at the 'Melania' premiere on Jan. 29, 2026.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

"Superior storytelling drives culture and in turn moves markets," she said at NYSE. "In the near future, cultural influence will matter as much as economic power. Our ability to tell our stories and emotionally connect with audiences is paramount. People long to be moved."

"We need stories that inspire dreams, offer hope, tales of redemption, sad stories, love stories, and funny stories. We want to feel human," she added.

Arguing that films and music can create lifelong memories, she said, "What do you remember when you hear Rolling Stones? Michael Jackson? Films bring families and friends together, sitting side by side, sharing a collective moment."

First lady Melania Trump promotes her new documentary at the New York Stock Exchange on Jan. 28, 2026.

ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty

Ahead of the official premiere, Melania, 55, hosted a private first viewing of her documentary at the White House for friends and family, calling it a “historic moment” in a Jan. 25 X post. 

"I am deeply humbled to have been surrounded by an inspiring room of friends, family, and cultural iconoclasts at the White House last night. Each of these individuals brought their unique vision to the world, making a lasting impression,” she said.

The venue of Thursday's Melania premiere is no coincidence.

Since entering his second term, President Trump has gone to extensive efforts to rebrand the Kennedy Center, replacing the D.C. institution's board of trustees with MAGA loyalists who then voted to make Trump chairman.

For months the president referred to the national arts center as the "Trump-Kennedy Center" in speeches and posts, and the board revealed in December that it had voted to rename the institution, which was established as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy after his assassination.

The rebrand has not formally been adopted by Congress, though signage outside the building was quickly updated to read, "The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."

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