First Lady Melania Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on January 28, 2026, to promote her upcoming documentary 'Melania.' The film, which offers access to the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump's second inauguration, is set for a limited theatrical release on January 30. The event highlighted her new production venture amid broader political tensions.
On January 28, 2026, First Lady Melania Trump participated in a ceremonial ringing of the New York Stock Exchange opening bell, dressed in a long black overcoat and leather corset. The appearance served as a promotional platform for her documentary 'Melania,' produced under her company Muse Films and directed by Brett Ratner. This marks Ratner's first major project since sexual harassment and assault allegations in 2017 derailed his career.
The film provides unprecedented access to Trump's life during the 20 days before the 2025 presidential inauguration, including exclusive footage of meetings, private conversations, and her coordination of inauguration plans. In the trailer, Trump appears in a navy wide-brimmed hat on Inauguration Day, saying, 'Here we go again,' and advising her husband to emphasize being a 'peacemaker and unifier' in his address. Speaking at the NYSE event, Trump stated, 'Films bring families and friends together, sitting side-by-side, sharing the collective moment. In doing so they will not simply watch my film, they will participate in a great American tradition and become part of our nation's history.'
The documentary follows a private White House screening on January 24, attended by about 70 people, including former boxer Mike Tyson, Jordan's Queen Rania, and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. It was the first time President Trump viewed the full film, after which he promoted it on X on January 26, writing, 'MELANIA, the Movie, is a MUST WATCH. Get your tickets today – Selling out, FAST!'
Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, 'Melania' cost $40 million to acquire, with an additional $35 million in marketing. It opens in 1,500 domestic theaters on January 30, projecting $3 million to $5 million in its debut weekend, amid political unrest from ICE raids in Minneapolis and nationwide backlash. The world premiere is scheduled for January 29 at the renamed Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with attendees including Trump supporters like Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Phil, as well as officials such as Pete Hegseth and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel criticized the film on his show, calling it a '$75 million bribe' from Amazon and joking that Trump fell asleep after eight minutes. The release coincides with broader national events, including protests in Minnesota where federal agents killed Alex Pretti on January 24, the same day as the screening.
