Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder and executive chairman, has defended the company's controversial Melania documentary as "a good business decision" while denying any personal involvement in the project. The film, which follows the former first lady in the period before Donald Trump's second inauguration, was purchased by Amazon for $40 million, with Melania herself reportedly earning $28 million. Amazon also spent approximately $35 million on marketing.
Bezos Denies Personal Role
During an interview on CNBC this week, Bezos addressed the ongoing speculation about his involvement in the deal. "The Melania thing is a falsehood that will not die," he said. The billionaire emphasized that he had no part in the acquisition, stating, "I see it reported all the time that somehow I was involved in this, but I had nothing to do with that." He acknowledged that the perception of currying favor with the administration is understandable, though he insisted it is "just not correct."
Film Performance and Criticism
The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner—who has faced sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women—was released in January without press screenings. It grossed $16.7 million worldwide, failing to recoup its production budget. Despite this, Bezos noted, "By the way, it appears it was a good business decision. It did very well in theaters. It's done very well on streaming. People are very curious about Melania. So even though I had nothing to do with it, it appears that the Amazon team made a very wise business decision." However, no public streaming data has been released, though the film appeared on Amazon's internal list of most-watched titles.
Political and Legal Scrutiny
The deal drew sharp criticism from Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, who characterized it as part of "an apparent pay-to-play arrangement with the Trump administration." She questioned Amazon's exposure under federal anti-bribery law, given the company's pursuit of favorable treatment while paying a premium for the film. Amazon responded by denying any bribery accusations, asserting that the film holds "cultural and historical relevance."
Critical Reception and Industry Ties
The Guardian's Xan Brooks awarded the film zero stars, describing it as "a gilded trash remake of Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Interest." Meanwhile, director Brett Ratner recently accompanied President Trump on a visit to China to scout locations for Rush Hour 4, the latest installment in his action comedy franchise. Trump reportedly intervened last year to ensure Paramount would produce the film.
