Melania Trump stepped onto the black carpet at the newly renamed Trump‑Kennedy Center on Thursday, January 29, for the premiere of her much‑discussed documentary, which opens nationwide on January 30.
The first lady said the 104‑minute film offers a “private, unfiltered look” at her life as she “navigates family, business, and philanthropy” on her path to the White House. The event drew a mix of Trump family members, senior administration officials, lawmakers and a few unexpected celebrity guests—while several notable names were absent.
Why It Matters
The premiere comes at a politically sensitive moment. A private White House screening of the film last weekend drew criticism for its timing after the shooting of Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minnesota, prompting questions from lawmakers including Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez about whether it should have proceeded.
The film also arrives with high commercial expectations after Amazon reportedly paid $40 million for distribution—far above the $1–$2 million Boxoffice projects it will earn in its opening weekend.
What to Know
Donald Trump attended the premiere alongside Melania, joined by Donald Trump Jr. and his fiancée Bettina Anderson. Usha Vance represented the vice presidential family, while Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and his wife Kathryn Burgum were also seen. Lee and Diana Zeldin were among the political couples present.
The event drew a heavy contingent of administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Speaker Mike Johnson attended with his wife, Kelly Johnson. Lawmakers including Rep. Ronny Jackson, Rep. Pete Sessions, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Sen. John Curtis joined them inside.
There were also several celebrity or non-political attendees, among them Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, Maria Bartiromo, Nicki Minaj, Hervé Pierre, Jennifer Rauchet and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
Several key Trump family members skipped the event. A representative for Eric Trump confirmed he and Lara Trump did not attend. Barron Trump was also absent. Ivanka Trump, Tiffany Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem did not appear.
The premiere follows a star‑packed White House preview on Saturday, where guests included Jeff Bezos, Erika Kirk, Saudi royals, designer Peter Arnell, Mike Tyson, Tim Cook and Tony Robbins.
What Happens Next
The documentary opens in U.S. theaters on January 30, with early projections predicting a modest box‑office debut despite the attention surrounding the project.
International performance remains uncertain; in the United Kingdom, Vue CEO Tim Richards told The Guardian that ticket sales so far appear “soft.” The coming days will show whether the film’s political profile and celebrity‑heavy rollout can translate into broader commercial success.
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