Melania Trump's documentary made waves among fans and detractors alike as it premiered in theaters nationwide last week. The film, which chronicles 20 days leading up to Donald Trump's second inauguration, has a unique appeal for certain demographics.
Among those who attended the screening were real estate entrepreneur Lisa Copeland and nine friends, including Cecilia Abbott, wife of Texas governor Greg Abbott. According to Copeland, "If you're Republican, this is girls' night." The group noticed security personnel lining the aisle as they settled in for the film, a telling sign that this was an event for Trump supporters.
The documentary received mixed reviews from critics, with many panning it due to its astronomical production costs and perceived attempts by Amazon head Jeff Bezos to buy support from Trump supporters. However, it has performed surprisingly well at the box office, grossing $7 million and becoming the top-performing documentary in a decade.
Interestingly, the film's audience skews heavily towards older women who are more likely to identify as Republicans. A report by Variety found that 72% of ticket buyers were female, 83% were over 45 years old, and 75% were white. For this demographic, the film offers a unique window into Melania's life as first lady, showcasing her fashion sense and behind-the-scenes moments.
Some attendees praised the documentary for its portrayal of Melania's vulnerability and dedication to her role as first lady. Others appreciated the film's focus on her relationship with Donald Trump, which was largely absent from other coverage.
Despite criticisms that the film is overly focused on Melania's personal life rather than her politics, fans appreciate its departure from the typical Trump narrative. As one attendee noted, "I know there's all types of criticism coming from the left... I don't think the movie itself is political."
The documentary's surprise success has led to plans for additional screenings, with Amazon set to open it in 300 more theaters during its second weekend. This could make it a stiff competitor for Super Bowl viewership.
For Trump supporters, the film offers a unique opportunity to engage with Melania's story and see themselves represented on screen. For others, it serves as a reminder of the enduring fascination with the Trump family and their public personas. As one fan quipped, "If you're a girl's girl and you really just want to look at the history of it all and what [Melania has] done for the White House, versus politics, it's a good movie."
Among those who attended the screening were real estate entrepreneur Lisa Copeland and nine friends, including Cecilia Abbott, wife of Texas governor Greg Abbott. According to Copeland, "If you're Republican, this is girls' night." The group noticed security personnel lining the aisle as they settled in for the film, a telling sign that this was an event for Trump supporters.
The documentary received mixed reviews from critics, with many panning it due to its astronomical production costs and perceived attempts by Amazon head Jeff Bezos to buy support from Trump supporters. However, it has performed surprisingly well at the box office, grossing $7 million and becoming the top-performing documentary in a decade.
Interestingly, the film's audience skews heavily towards older women who are more likely to identify as Republicans. A report by Variety found that 72% of ticket buyers were female, 83% were over 45 years old, and 75% were white. For this demographic, the film offers a unique window into Melania's life as first lady, showcasing her fashion sense and behind-the-scenes moments.
Some attendees praised the documentary for its portrayal of Melania's vulnerability and dedication to her role as first lady. Others appreciated the film's focus on her relationship with Donald Trump, which was largely absent from other coverage.
Despite criticisms that the film is overly focused on Melania's personal life rather than her politics, fans appreciate its departure from the typical Trump narrative. As one attendee noted, "I know there's all types of criticism coming from the left... I don't think the movie itself is political."
The documentary's surprise success has led to plans for additional screenings, with Amazon set to open it in 300 more theaters during its second weekend. This could make it a stiff competitor for Super Bowl viewership.
For Trump supporters, the film offers a unique opportunity to engage with Melania's story and see themselves represented on screen. For others, it serves as a reminder of the enduring fascination with the Trump family and their public personas. As one fan quipped, "If you're a girl's girl and you really just want to look at the history of it all and what [Melania has] done for the White House, versus politics, it's a good movie."
. I mean, 72% female ticket buyers? That's some prime demographic real estate right there! 
Guess you could say it's a 'girls' night out for Republicans 
. But hey, if it's making people wanna see themselves represented on screen, I'm not gonna judge 
. The film might be messy, but it's like that one aunt at the family reunion – you never know what's gonna happen next 
. And can we talk about how old the cast is? Like, 75% of ticket buyers are over 45? That's a whole different generation of Trump supporter 
. Anyway, I guess it's nice to see Melania getting some love for being a 'first lady' and all that 
. Not my cup of tea, but hey, to each their own 
.
anyway, i think the fact that its attracting mostly older women is actually kinda cool? they're probably the ones who've been following melania's fashion sense and all that since she was first lady. and i mean, who doesn't wanna see a behind-the-scenes look at the trump white house 
it's def giving me some interesting insights into the whole thing...
and i wonder if amazon was expecting people to actually watch the whole thing or just tune in for the trump bits 
Sounds juicy! I guess the right ppl are gonna love seein' Melania's fashion faves and behind-the-scenes peeks. Old ladies goin' wild for this, lol! 
anyway, it's kinda cool that women are actually interested in seeing the behind-the-scenes of a first lady's role. maybe it's because they're not getting enough representation in politics? 
. And it's cool that she gets her own movie, right? 
. And hey, if people want to watch a movie about her fashion sense or behind-the-scenes moments, who am I to judge? 
The bigger question is, what does this say about our cultural obsession with celebrity and politics? 
. The fact that it's catering to an older demographic who are more likely to identify as Republicans just adds fuel to the fire 
. I mean, 72% of ticket buyers were female... sounds like a bunch of women who are tired of being ignored and want to see themselves represented on screen 
. And let's be real, it's not like this is going to change anyone's mind or spark any meaningful conversations 
this docu is def worth watchin!!! 
The film showcasin her fashion sense & behind-the-scenes moments is EVERYTHING 
Let's give this docu some more love & support 
. I mean, I get why fans would wanna see this film tho - it's like, finally, someone's telling her story and not just focusing on Trump all the time 
. Like, what about the other side of the spectrum? Don't they deserve to be represented too? 
. But maybe Amazon could also try to reach out to more diverse audiences? 
