• Join Puck

    Directly Supporting Authors

    A new economic model in which writers are also partners in the business.

    Personalized Subscriptions

    Customize your settings to receive the newsletters you want from the authors you follow.

    Stay in the Know

    Connect directly with Puck talent through email and exclusive events.

  • What is puck? Newsletters Authors Podcasts Events Gift Puck Careers

Melania Trump Documentary Scores Massive Amazon Payday

The streamer is paying a whopping $40 million to license the Brett Ratner-directed Melania Trump documentary plus another, previously undisclosed project from the first lady.

melania trump
Will the Melania Trump project chart a course for Brett Ratner to return to Hollywood? Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Matthew Belloni
January 7, 2025

You’re not alone in raising both eyebrows at Sunday’s news that Amazon will release a Melania Trump documentary directed by Brett Ratner, the Rush Hour filmmaker who has not made a Hollywood movie since 2018, when he was accused of sexual malfeasance by several women. (He’s denied the claims.) Of course, that this vanity documentary will air on a platform whose founder, Jeff Bezos, recently dined at Mar-A-Lago and is actively using his media properties to suck up to Melania’s husband, makes this whole thing even more ridiculous.

Get access to this story

Enter your email to get access to one article and free previews of our private emails from Puck authors and editors.

OR

Already a Member? Sign in

Latest Articles from Hollywood

bob iger
Kim Masters • January 7, 2025
The Complicated Legacy of Bob Iger
Disney insiders say the outgoing (again!) C.E.O. is leaving under far different circumstances than after his first stint as leader. Alan Horn praises Iger as perhaps the best entertainment executive he’s ever met. For everyone else, it’s more complex.
Josh D'Amaro
Matthew Belloni • January 7, 2025
Can Disney’s Josh and Dana Honeymoon Last?
After a year-plus contest for the C.E.O. gig ended with a D’Amaro victory and a pretty good consolation prize for Walden, the highly choreographed vibes have been only positive. But conflicting styles and potentially existential challenges in Walden’s expanded film and TV fiefdom could soon capsize the boat.
Bad Bunny
Eriq Gardner • January 7, 2025
The Bad Bunny Lawsuit That Could Destroy Reggaeton
As the Grammy-winning artist prepares for the Super Bowl, a copyright suit including Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, and Pitbull claims that the entire Latin urban music phenomenon was built on top of stolen beats. A ruling on the case could change the industry forever.
MELANIA documentary
Matthew Belloni • January 7, 2025
Did ‘Melania’ Cook the Box Office Books?
After months of hype and $75 million in production and marketing costs, Amazon unleashed the first lady’s documentary to big-ish grosses. It’s still a sure money loser in theaters for Bezos & Co.—and some suspect an orchestrated box office boost.
dana walden
Matthew Belloni • January 7, 2025
Dana Walden’s Disney Denouement
After a year-plus contest in which Walden, the TV chief, was often considered to be in pole position, Experiences head Josh D’Amaro will likely succeed Bob Iger. That’s because for Disney, in the short and long run, parks and cruises will be far more important than TV and streaming.
Taylor Swift grammys
Matthew Belloni • January 7, 2025
Will the Grammys Leave Downtown L.A.?
Music’s biggest night arrives as its contract with Crypto.com Arena expires, Recording Academy production costs are skyrocketing, and sources say Steve Ballmer wants to lure the show to the crosstown Intuit Dome. Plus: why Harry Styles could be the biggest tour of 2026, the high price of Bieber’s facial paralysis, and whether the Trump guys will kill Live Nation.
Shane Gillis
Julia Alexander • January 7, 2025
What Everyone Is Actually Watching on Netflix
Insights and analysis from the streamer’s latest engagement report: why Ms. Rachel is working, how many laughed at Shane Gillis, the secret power behind KPop Demon Hunters, and what’s going on with all those non-English shows.