Eggs, Hats and Unfettered Ambition: Insights from Melania Trump's Documentary
A new documentary about Melania Trump, screened in Washington DC, offers a revealing glimpse into the former first lady's world, blending political ambition with personal quirks in a film that has sparked widespread discussion.
An Airless Existence and Uniformed Staff
Melania Trump's life appears as an entirely airless existence, where she glides solo through gilt corridors in absolute silence, reminiscent of a David Lynch film, observed by tight-lipped security personnel. Notably, all her staff dress in deference to her, predominantly in black, though her interior designer matches her in a camel-coloured three-piece suit. Job candidates for assistant roles have clearly received the memo, lining up in a sea of monochrome with buttery hair and prominent cross necklaces, creating a strikingly uniform aesthetic.
High-Stakes Fashion Fittings
Approximately 30% of the documentary is devoted to intense clothes fittings for her inauguration outfits. Melania explains in voiceover, "My creative vision is always clear and it's my responsibility to share it with my team so they can bring it to life." This translates to precise commands like "More tension, tighter" about a collar, or instructions for a coat to skim nearer her hips. One hat brim is reprimanded as "a little bit wiggly-woggly," while an assistant tailor frets over cutting a blouse, underscored by stressed violins on the soundtrack.
Culinary Disinterest and Golden Eggs
While Melania is shown overseeing inauguration-related events, details about catering are sparse. The only mention is an appetiser at one ball: a golden egg placed in an eggcup on a plate. The first lady offers no notes on its origin, edibility, or accompaniments, merely approving its colour. Notably, she is never seen eating or drinking throughout the film.
Interior Design Expertise
Melania demonstrates a keen eye for design, emphasising "timeless elegance" in planning a ball and approving invites sent in huge red envelopes, akin to primary school letters to Santa. She ensures rugs are cleaned and furniture steamed during the brief transition between the Bidens leaving and the Trumps returning. Her office features a print of Renoir's La Loge, though the original resides in London's Courtauld Gallery.
Relationships with Donald and Barron
The documentary hints at intimacy with Donald Trump, including a hand-on-waist gesture suggesting ongoing physical closeness and an attempted kiss around her large hat. Melania voices sympathy, saying, "Nobody has endured what he has endured over the past few years," though much of the film shows them apart, with a phone call where she dismissively congratulates him on a political victory. Her son Barron remains silent but is depicted bending gently in scenes, with Donald calling him "cute" and Melania simply stating, "Yeah, I love him."
Personal Tastes and Public Appearances
Melania reveals Michael Jackson as her favourite artist, recalling meeting him with Donald and describing him as "very sweet, very nice." Her preferred songs are Billie Jean and Thriller, leading to a brief duet with director Brett Ratner. She is often seen in black, including at events like Jimmy Carter's funeral, where she reflects on her mother's death, and at Arlington cemetery, where she cuts a mafiosi figure striding in stilettos. Her perkiest moment on inauguration day is walking through a crypt.
Tech Moguls and Political Statements
Amazon's Jeff Bezos appears more than other tech moguls, possibly offsetting distribution costs. Tim Cook gets attention as Melania uses a MacBook Air for video calls about limiting children's screen time, with Zuckerberg and Musk also featuring. Melania is not apolitical, referring to herself as a world leader and expressing ambitions to "break all norms" and reinvent the first lady role. She thinks about lawmakers "constantly," and Brigitte Macron offers policy support over video call. Snarky shots include Barack Obama looking downcast and Kamala Harris checking her watch.
Cinematic Impact and Final Thoughts
Despite a $28 million self-payment for starring, producing, and overseeing post-production, the documentary fails to revolutionise cinema. It turns a politically significant moment into a boring, vain hagiography. Melania remarks, "Today was so rich with meaning, and since each moment was historic and filled with purpose, time no longer mattered," which feels like a disclaimer for a film that lacks depth and seems interminable.
