Fact Check: Was 'Melania' withdrawn from South African cinemas due to anti-Trump backlash?

WASHINGTON, DC: In January 2026, a rumor circulated in the form of a reportage claiming that First Lady Melania Trump's documentary, 'Melania', was withdrawn from South African cinemas due to anti-Trump backlash.

Meidas News reported that concerns were raised about how the documentary, slated for a US theatrical release on January 30, would be received by viewers, given President Donald Trump's administration’s immigration tactics. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: 'Melania' film withdrawn from South African cinemas due to anti-Trump backlash

According to a new report from Meidas News, 'Melania' was scheduled for local distribution in South Africa by Filmfinity and for release across major cinemas in the country.

However, issues were flagged to Filmfinity about the release, leading to the decision to nix it on Wednesday, January 28, the outlet reported. 

Sources familiar with the situation told the outlet that the discussions focused on the film’s framing and context, particularly given renewed immigration enforcement in the US and broader unrest linked to the exercise of state power.

Thobashan Govindarajulu, Filmfinity’s head of sales and distribution, told the New York Times, "Based on recent developments, we’ve taken the decision not go ahead with a theatrical release in the territory." 

As per the report, the film passed the country’s standard classification and regulatory approval processes and secured bookings with Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro, South Africa’s two major movie theater chains.

The outlet further reported that concerns were raised about the film's reception by viewers, given the Trump administration’s increasingly harsh immigration tactics.

Interestingly, the film's release comes after federal immigration agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis in January 2026, ICU nurse Alex Pretti, 37, and Minnesota mother Renee Nicole Good, 37.

Fact Check: Mostly true, along with some misleading bits

The claims made in the reportage are mostly true, as the film has been withdrawn from South African cinemas. Several reputable media houses, such as The New York Times, reported the news.

However, there is no clear evidence to prove that the reason for the withdrawal was the anti-Trump backlash. Thobashan Govindarajulu also declined to say what recent developments had led to the decision, but said that the company was not pressured or asked to pull the film. He said it was 'our decision'. 

It is unclear if the icy relations between South Africa and the United States, low ticket sales, or something else led to the decision by Filmfinity to cancel the film’s release in South Africa.

Notably, the documentary is not being banned in South Africa and is available through other channels in the country. 

President Trump has railed against the country in the past, and has claimed its government is 'killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them.' He claimed this in a November 2025 Truth Social post.

Hence, the rating for the report is mostly true, as the withdrawal did take place, but the reason for the withdrawal is unknown.