The biggest revelation of theMelania Trumpmovie is that there are none.
Over the course of 104 unhurried minutes,"Melania"(in theaters now) follows the first lady as she gets dress fittings, looks at carpet swatches and interviews potential candidates for her staff, all in preparation for her family's move back to the White House in January 2025.
There are some personal observations, as she remarks on the "quiet strength" of her late mother,Amalija Knavs, and praises the "intelligent mind" ofthe couple's 19-year-old son, Barron. But for a documentary about the lead-up toPresident Donald Trump's second inauguration, the commander in chief stays very much in the periphery.
Here arethe most noteworthy moments of the film, which is executive produced by the first lady and directed bydisgraced Hollywood filmmaker Brett Ratner:
President Trump jokes that Melania is 'very difficult' but an 'incredible' first lady
The new "Melania" documentary had a splashy premiere at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington on Jan. 29, 2026. See which celebrities and political figures walked the red carpet, starting with President Donald Trump first lady Melania Trump." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The first couple steps out for the world premiere." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
First lady Melania Trump" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Melania" director Brett Ratner" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Lisa Oz (from left), Mehmet Oz, Oliver Oz and Daphne Oz." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Melania" producer and first lady adviser Marc Beckman" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
House Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife Kelly." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Jennifer Rauchet" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Pete Hegseth kisses Jennifer Rauchet." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and his wife, former U.S. Homeland Security adviser Julia Nesheiwat." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Christie Mullin and Sen. Markwayne Mullin" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions of United States Richard Grenell" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kathryn Burgum and Doug Burgum" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kelly Loeffler and Jeffrey Sprecher" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Doug Collins and Lisa Collins" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Lee Zeldin and Diana Zeldin" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Brett Ratner (left) and Marc Beckman" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Melania Trump is chic in black at movie's Kennedy Center premiere
Thenew "Melania" documentaryhad a splashy premiere at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington on Jan. 29, 2026. See which celebrities and political figures walked the red carpet, starting with President Donald Trumpfirst lady Melania Trump.
Trump only appears a handful of times throughout "Melania." Early in the movie, he can be heard in voiceover as she chats with him on the phone. "Hi, honey," he says, to which she responds, "Hi, Mr. President." He calls the election results "a big win," adding that he won the popular vote in a landslide and had not anticipated such high numbers.
Later, he greets Melania as she gets off the plane in Washington, kissing her on the cheek as he says she looks "very beautiful" like "a movie star."
The few occasions that Trump does speak to the film cameras, it's to compliment his wife. "She's the most incredible first lady … She's very difficult, but there's nobody like her," Trump says with a laugh, adding that she's "not difficult" before bidding her goodnight.
Donald Trumpwonders why his inauguration has to 'compete' with football
During a visit to their Florida home of Mar-a-Lago, Trump and Melania meet with staffers to nail down Inauguration Day plans. His team tells him that he'll be riding with PresidentJoe Bidento the U.S. Capitol on the day. "That'll be an interesting drive," Trump says with a smirk.
The couple proceeds to ask questions about their safety, as well as why the College Football Playoff national championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame is being broadcast on Inauguration Day.
"We have to compete with the championship? How did that happen?" Trump queries, adding "I think they did that on purpose."
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In that same exchange, he looks at a photo from his 2017 inauguration, where Melania wore a sky-blue Ralph Lauren dress with matching gloves. Trump then turns to Melania and asks, "You have a good dress? You have a nice dress? This one blew everyone away." He asks if her 2025 inauguration outfit can compete, to which she laughs.
Barron Trump is mostly MIA during the 'Melania' movie
Barron has largely stayed out of the spotlightduring both of his father's presidential terms, and he is now in his second year at New York University.
On the rare occasions that he does appear in the documentary, he is filmed from the back or in side profile, save for a shot of him waving to the crowd during an inauguration celebration at Capital One Arena in Washington, which is soundtracked by "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" by James Brown & the Famous Flames.
"Barron is a very confident young man," Melania says in voiceover, adding that he got "quite the reception" at the event. At other points in the film, she praises her son for having a good head on his shoulders, explaining that she's excited to see him forge his own path and start a family one day.
Melania Trumpdoes the 'YMCA,' sings along to Michael Jackson
First lady Melania Trump took a rare step into the spotlight at the premiere of her "Melania" documentary on Jan. 29, 2026. See her red carpet look." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Melania Trump chose a sleek, buttoned black coat dress and slim belt, which she wore with stiletto pumps." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
First lady Melania Trump" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President Donald Trump, wearing a navy suit and burgundy tie, directed attention to his wife." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The first couple clasped hands on the red carpet at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The couple shared a smile for the cameras" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The president stepped to the side while photographers focused on his wife." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> The first lady wore her hair long and loose, her trademark style." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Trump and Melania Trump" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President Trump and Melania Trump" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The first couple greet the press." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Trump and Melania Trump" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President Trump and Melania Trump" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump is chic in black at movie's Kennedy Center premiere
First lady Melania Trump took a rare step into the spotlight at the premiere ofher "Melania" documentaryon Jan. 29, 2026. See her red carpet look.
As noted, "Melania" is short on genuine insight into the first lady and her duties. The film briefly features both virtual and in-person meetings with Queen Rania of Jordan, France's first lady Brigitte Macron, and freed Israeli hostage Aviva Siegel, as Melania gets involved with various humanitarian causes.
She speaks broadly in platitudes about serving the American people and leading with love: "I'll move forward with purpose," Melania says at the end of the film. "And, of course, a sense of style."
The few times that we really get to see the more human side of Melania are while she dances and half-sings along to both Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Village People's "YMCA" at various points. She laughs at a CNN inauguration broadcast, as the anchors marvel at how tall Barron is. (He isat least 6-foot-7, to be fair.)
And although she doesn't cry, per se, Melania appears visibly emotional during one scene as she watches news coverage of last year's Los Angeles wildfires.
Donald Trump chats with President Joe Biden, pats him on the shoulder
A handful of famous faces appear throughout the documentary, including tech giants Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg at different inaugural events, as well as Trump's presidential opponent, Vice PresidentKamala Harris, during the ceremony itself. None of them are heard speaking in the film.
Biden and his wife, first lady Jill Biden, also appear a few times, as they pose for a picture with the Trumps on Inauguration Day. Before boarding Air Force One, Trump looks back at Biden and gives him a tap on the shoulder, and the two men can be seen chatting by the helicopter outside the U.S. Capitol.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Melania' Trump movie's most revealing moments
