Amazon documentary ‘Melania' that it spent $35m promoting, lost millions after release

Melania Trump earned a $10.71 million licensing fee from Amazon MGM Studios’ documentary about her, according to President Donald Trump’s 2025 financial disclosure. The payment stands out against the film’s theatrical performance. Amazon MGM Studios reportedly paid $40 million to acquire “Melania” and spent another $35 million marketing it, taking its reported acquisition and promotional spending to about $75 million. The documentary went on to earn around $16.6 million at the worldwide box office before arriving on Prime Video.Amazon reportedly spent $75 million on ‘Melania’Amazon MGM Studios reportedly paid $40 million to acquire the documentary and spent another $35 million on marketing. That means the company committed about $75 million to acquiring and promoting the film. Its theatrical earnings were much lower. “Melania” collected around $16.6 million at the worldwide box office.