Melania Trump sparks debate in Washington by linking her official duties to personal film promotion on the federal Presidents’ Day holiday

Presidents’ Day, traditionally a day to honor George Washington and past presidents, took a decidedly modern twist this year thanks to First Lady Melania Trump.

Rather than focusing solely on the history of the office, she used the federal holiday as a platform to promote her own documentary, reminding Americans that Melania is still showing in theaters.

On her personal social media accounts, she encouraged fans: “Don’t miss your chance to see MELANIA in theaters before its run ends. Experience the immersive visuals and sound on the big screen today.”

The post included a throwback photo of her with President Donald Trump from the documentary’s White House premiere in late January.

A Star-Studded Premiere and Controversial Venues

The photo shows the Trumps posing in front of Melania signage in the Cross Hall of the White House.

Days later, they attended another premiere at the newly renamed Trump Kennedy Center, a move that has sparked debate.

The venue’s renaming, paired with the President’s abrupt decision to close the performing arts center for two years for renovations, came amid a wave of cancellations, drawing public criticism.

The timing has led to questions about whether it is appropriate for a sitting First Lady to promote a personal, commercial project while carrying out official duties.

Earlier this month, Melania even mentioned the film during a meeting with American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel and his wife Aviva, highlighting a scene in which she meets Aviva as part of the storyline pushing for her husband’s release.

Critics Question the Ethics of Promotion

CNN reporters asked whether it was proper for her to hawk a film that reportedly promises her a $28 million payday. Melania brushed off the criticism, insisting, “It is nothing to do with promotion.”

Yet the overlap of public office and personal profit remains a focal point of debate.

The documentary covers 20 days leading up to President Trump’s second inauguration, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the First Lady’s life and official duties.

Amazon paid around $40 million for distribution rights, a figure that raised eyebrows given Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s recent layoffs at The Washington Post, a newspaper he owns.

Box Office Performance: Early Success, Slower Momentum

The film had a strong opening weekend, raking in roughly $7 million—marking the best start for a non-concert documentary since 2012.

But sales quickly slowed, with the movie sliding to 15th place among new releases this past weekend, earning less than $1 million.

So far, it has grossed about $15.4 million.

Reports suggest Amazon MGM executives are hopeful that streaming the film on Amazon’s platform will help recoup additional costs.

A streaming release date has not yet been announced.

Director Brett Ratner Champions the Big-Screen Experience

Director Brett Ratner, whose Hollywood career has been mostly quiet since a 2017 #MeToo scandal, emphasized that the documentary was designed for theatrical viewing.

In a recent interview, he told the Daily Mail: “It’s big movie stuff. That’s what I’m trying to say. It’s for the big screen. I urge everybody to go see it in the theater, that’s what it was made for.

Yes, you can watch it on TV later, but for me as a filmmaker, that would be the ultimate way to experience this film.”

Melania and the President’s Weekend Getaway

Amid the film promotion, Melania was seen spending Valentine’s Day weekend with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, according to social media posts from the Palm Beach, Florida, club.

She arrived Friday following a visit to Fort Bragg in North Carolina. The President is expected to return to Washington on Monday night after the holiday.

What’s Next?

The conversation about whether public officials should leverage their platforms for personal projects is far from over.

The documentary continues its theatrical run, and audiences are debating whether to see it in theaters or wait for a streaming release.

Meanwhile, the ethical questions surrounding promotion and profit in public office remain front and center.

Summary

Melania Trump used Presidents’ Day to actively promote her documentary, sharing social media posts and photos from its White House premiere.

While the film had a strong initial box office, ticket sales have slowed. Critics question the ethics of the First Lady promoting a personal, commercially-backed project during official duties.

Director Brett Ratner encourages viewers to see it on the big screen, and a streaming release is still pending.

Melania and President Trump also enjoyed a Mar-a-Lago weekend getaway over Valentine’s Day, keeping the spotlight on both personal and public aspects of their lives.