As anticipation builds for the upcoming documentary about First Lady Melania Trump, new revelations from the US Department of Justice’s release of the Epstein Files have cast an unexpected shadow over the project.
The documents, which were made public last Friday, connect Hollywood director Brett Ratner—currently leading the documentary—to individuals closely tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
Ratner Linked to Epstein Associate
Among the newly released files is a photo showing Ratner with Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent and longtime Epstein associate who has since passed away.
The image, however, provides no details about when or where it was taken, leaving many questions unanswered.
The documents stem from three major investigations into Epstein’s crimes, including a 2005 Palm Beach police inquiry, a federal probe that led to Epstein’s controversial 2008 plea deal, and the 2019 Manhattan prosecutor case that ended abruptly after Epstein’s death in jail.
While former President Donald Trump and Melania were seen at events with Epstein in the early 2000s, Trump reportedly cut ties with the financier decades ago.
Ratner’s Past Misconduct Allegations Resurface
The Epstein connection isn’t the only controversy surrounding Ratner.
Ahead of the documentary’s release, allegations of sexual misconduct from several women—including actresses Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge—have resurfaced.
These accusations first came to light during the #MeToo movement in 2017.
Ratner has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has never faced criminal charges.
The renewed attention has sparked debate over whether Ratner is the right choice to direct a film about the First Lady.
Concerns From Former Trump Staff
On a recent episode of The View, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, who served under former Vice President Mike Pence, expressed reservations about Melania working with Ratner.
Griffin said the director’s controversial history could be a distraction and potentially put the First Lady in an uncomfortable position.
“What bothered me about this doc,” Griffin commented, “is that the director has been accused of sexual misconduct by many prominent actors.
He denies all allegations, but I wouldn’t, as a staffer, put the First Lady in a position of working with somebody who had that history. It’s a distraction from the project.”
She added that while the allegations made her hesitant, she might still consider watching the documentary once it is released.
Additional Accusations Against Ratner
Ratner’s controversies extend beyond the 2017 allegations.
In 2017, Hawaii resident Melanie Kohler accused him of rape, which he denied.
He filed a defamation lawsuit against her but dropped it the following year.
In 2023, actress Rebecca Romijn shared negative experiences working with Ratner on X-Men: The Last Stand, though she did not provide specific details.
Ratner’s Career and the Documentary’s Production
Once a major Hollywood director known for the Rush Hour franchise, X-Men, and War Dogs, Ratner had not directed a film in nearly a decade before being chosen for the Melania project.
Reports suggest that Melania herself admired his work and did not see his past controversies as a disqualifying factor.
The project has raised concerns among Secret Service agents and others because Ratner was granted extensive access to the White House during filming, amplifying the scrutiny over his involvement.
What’s Next
As the documentary’s release date approaches, questions remain about how these revelations will impact public reception and whether Ratner’s controversial past will overshadow the project.
With multiple allegations and sensitive connections now public, the spotlight is firmly back on both the director and the First Lady.
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