Melania Trump documentary set to premiere at renamed Trump-Kennedy Center

WASHINGTON, DC: Melania Trump’s upcoming documentary is set to debut later this month at the Kennedy Center, marking a high-profile premiere at the same venue that was recently renamed to include President Donald Trump’s name.

The president and first lady are expected to attend the January 29 screening, scheduled one day before the film’s theatrical release, according to Fox News Digital.

Inside the 'Melania' documentary

Titled 'Melania', the documentary follows the first lady during the opening weeks of 2025 as the Trump family prepared for a return to the White House ahead of President Trump’s second inauguration.

Directed by Brett Ratner, the film includes previously unseen footage from the transition period and the inauguration itself, offering a behind-the-scenes look at Melania Trump’s role during the pivotal moment.

In a statement accompanying the project to Fox News, Melania described the film as “history … in motion,” saying it provides audiences with “a private, unfiltered look as I navigate family, business, and philanthropy on my remarkable journey to becoming First Lady of the United States of America.”

She also serves as an executive producer on the documentary, which is licensed by Amazon.

Earlier, Amazon MGM Studios released the documentary trailer.

The trailer rapidly cuts between scenes of the first lady and the president at the inauguration, moments of the couple together outside Mar-a-Lago, and behind-the-scenes footage from the inauguration featuring prominent personalities.

The images are interwoven with visuals of the first lady, Air Force One, the presidential seal, and other symbolic shots.

The trailer shows Melania entering a room as President Trump stands at a podium, rehearsing remarks during a meeting.

The trailer closes with Melania addressing President Trump, calling out “Mr President” before offering her congratulations.

The premiere comes just weeks after the commander-in-chief reshaped the leadership and identity of the Kennedy Center.

Shortly after beginning his second term, Trump appointed loyal allies to the institution’s board, which subsequently voted to make him chairman.

On December 18, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the Trump-appointed board had approved renaming the performing arts complex to include the sitting president’s name.

Within hours, the Kennedy Center updated its website and social media branding to reflect the new title: “The Trump-Kennedy Center.”

Kennedy family pushes back against cultural center's renaming

The decision to alter the name of the Kennedy Center has drawn strong criticism from members of the Kennedy family, including Maria Shriver, the niece of President John F Kennedy.

In a statement reported by Reuters, Shriver accused Trump of attempting to attach his name to a public institution without proper authority, saying some ex officio board members were blocked from participating in the decision.

She later echoed those concerns on social media, emphasizing that the center was established by Congress as a living memorial to JFK.

“It is beyond comprehension that this sitting president has sought to rename this great memorial dedicated to President Kennedy,” Shriver wrote, adding that placing Trump’s name ahead of Kennedy’s was “not acceptable.”