An Amazon MGM Studios screening of Melania, a documentary centred on former First Lady Melania Trump, drew attention on Thursday not just for its high-profile attendees, but for sharply restricted media access. Most mainstream journalists were denied entry to the invite-only screening at the Trump Kennedy Center in Los Angeles, according to a UNI report citing Variety.

As press check-in began in the afternoon ahead of the evening red-carpet event, reporters from leading global publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Associated Press, Reuters and Vanity Fair waited in the lobby, uncertain whether any of them would be permitted inside. By the time members of the Trump administration began arriving on the carpet, it became evident that the majority of established media outlets would not be granted access to the screening held in the Opera House above.

The only press representatives reportedly allowed entry from the carpet, aside from those separately invited, were One America News Network anchor Dan Ball and his wife Peyton Drew, a producer with the far-right channel. Their presence stood in contrast to the large number of veteran reporters who were turned away. Ball was also seen encouraging political figures to bypass what he referred to as “fake news” outlets and speak directly to him, at one point making disparaging remarks about other journalists on the carpet.

Despite the restricted access to the screening itself, former US President Donald Trump did engage briefly with mainstream media while attending the event. He responded to questions on unrelated political matters and commented on Amazon’s reported investment in the film, saying he was not involved in the deal and that it was “done with my wife”. He described the documentary as “very important” and “a big deal”.

The event was attended by several members of the Trump administration, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Pete Hegseth, Lee Zeldin and Mike Johnson, along with director Brett Ratner and producer Marc Beckman. Melania Trump appeared on the carpet in a black Dolce & Gabbana skirt suit, posing for photographs as guests arrived.

According to Variety, Amazon MGM reportedly paid around USD 40 million for the documentary rights, with an estimated additional USD 35 million spent on marketing. However, industry estimates suggest the film may earn only USD 3 million to USD 5 million at the box office during its opening weekend. Online chatter has included unverified claims of low ticket sales, though producer Marc Beckman said the numbers he had seen were “tracking very positively”.

The documentary also marks Ratner’s return to directing after several years away from the industry following multiple sexual misconduct allegations in 2017. Reports ahead of the premiere indicated that some crew members chose not to be credited, citing discomfort with being associated with the project. Ratner told Variety he understood those decisions, particularly for freelancers concerned about future work.

At the pre-screening reception, administration members appeared upbeat. Some spoke of their support for Melania Trump and expressed hope that the documentary would present a fuller picture of her public and private life, pushing back against what they described as a one-dimensional portrayal in the past.