Melania Trump's new Amazon documentary series has faced criticism from social media users who say they will not watch it, following the theatrical release of a film about the US first lady that earned approximately $16.7 million (£12 million) worldwide at the box office.
The two-episode Melania, The Series is due to premiere on Prime Video on 20 November 2026. Its release follows a reported $40 million licensing agreement that covered both the original documentary and its accompanying docuseries, rather than the film alone. Amazon also reportedly spent another $35 million marketing the film.
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) November 9, 2026
Social Media Users Question New Release
Trump promoted the series trailer on her X account, drawing replies from users who criticised the project and said they did not intend to watch.
The trailer also includes Trump discussing the attention surrounding her role in the White House. 'The media, they want gossip. For me, it's noise,' she says in footage reported from the promotional video.
Among the linked replies were posts from accounts @thetomten1, @JoJoFromJerz, and @CommanthaBiden. Some responses questioned the demand for another programme about the First Lady, while others expressed opposition to watching content distributed by Amazon.
'No one loves you more than you love yourself, Melanie,' @JoJoFromJerz said, before adding, 'Good fucking grief.' Another comment from @thetomten1 said that they 'would not watch if someone paid me,' while another referenced the recent Republican loss in the US Midterms, seeing the project as a way of diverting attention from it.
Amazon Deal Covered Film and Docuseries
Amazon MGM Studios reportedly agreed to pay $40 million to license the feature-length documentary Melania and its accompanying docuseries. A further $35 million was reportedly allocated to marketing the film, taking the combined reported expenditure to $75 million, or roughly £56 million.
The documentary opened in cinemas in January 2026. Box Office Mojo lists its worldwide theatrical gross at $16,661,439, approximately $16.7 million (£12.5 million). That amount is box-office revenue, not a measure of Amazon's total income from the project.
The licensing agreement also included the series, while the film's eventual streaming performance and other commercial returns have not been publicly detailed. The difference between the reported expenditure and theatrical gross therefore cannot establish Amazon's overall profit or loss.
Directed by Brett Ratner, the original film followed the 20 days before Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration on 20 January 2025. Its reported licensing price prompted questions from Democratic lawmakers and other critics about whether the deal might help Amazon's relationship with the Trump administration.
Two Episodes Follow Life After Inauguration
Ratner also directed both episodes of Melania, The Series, titled 'Family & Trust' and 'Pride & Honor.' Unlike the film's focus on preparations before the inauguration, the series explores events immediately after Trump returned to the White House as First Lady.
Promotional footage features Trump speaking about power, media attention, and her family, including her son Barron. 'Everybody wants to be close to power,' she says in the trailer, before warning of possible dangers. She also describes Barron as her priority.
Melania Trump and Marc Beckman serve as executive producers. Ratner and Fernando Sulichin are also credited as producers. The episodes are scheduled for release on Friday, 20 November. Amazon has not publicly disclosed a projected audience for the series.
