WASHINGTON (AP) — Melania Trump concludes her first year back as first lady with the premiere of a documentary she produced, chronicling the 20 days leading up to former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

Known for her private nature, Melania Trump has maintained a relatively low profile during her husband’s second term. The film, titled “Melania,” debuted Thursday evening at the Kennedy Center and is set to release globally in over 1,500 cinemas on Friday.

“I want to give people a look into my life and what it means to become the first lady again, including the shift from a private life back to a public one,” she shared with reporters as she walked the event’s charcoal carpet, accompanied by her husband. Guests included government officials, lawmakers, and conservative media figures.

In the film, she said audiences would witness how she juggles her philanthropic efforts and business interests, her White House responsibilities, and life with her family.

“It’s stylish, touching, visually stunning, and I’m very proud of what we’ve done,” she added.

The documentary was created by AmazonMGM Studios, with an estimated budget of $40 million. It will be available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video after its box office run.

Director Brett Ratner mentioned that the success of the project wouldn’t be judged by box-office numbers alone.

“Documentaries don’t typically dominate theaters,” he said before the premiere. “That’s never been their purpose.”

President Trump watched the nearly two-hour film for the first time during a private White House viewing and praised it as “really great.”

“It brings back a kind of glamour that’s been missing,” he said. “And maybe our country needs a little bit of that.”

‘Melania’ Announced After Months of Preparation

Financial specifics regarding Melania Trump’s earnings from the project remain undisclosed. While it’s unusual for a first lady to initiate such a venture from the White House, the Trumps have consistently pushed traditional boundaries.

“To my knowledge, she’s the first in her role to receive significant compensation for a documentary about her, and that’s in line with how the Trumps often defy past conventions,” noted Katherine Jellison, a history professor emerita at Ohio University.

When asked about comparisons to big book deals, Trump cited the high-profile publishing arrangements made by Barack and Michelle Obama after his presidency.

Traditionally, presidents and first ladies avoid financial pursuits while in office to avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflicts of interest.

However, both Donald and Melania Trump have continued various commercial activities—she sells items like jewelry and holiday merchandise, while he offers branded products ranging from fragrances to religious items.

Marc Beckman, a senior adviser to the first lady, defended the financial arrangement, stating that Melania was a private citizen when the project was first announced in early 2025. “She isn’t elected and doesn’t receive a government paycheck,” he said. “There’s no reason to restrict her.”

The film also represents a new chapter in the evolving relationship between the Trumps and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, with whom ties have softened in recent years.

Melania Trump emphasized that Amazon was chosen through a competitive selection process, particularly because of their agreement to distribute the film in theaters.

The documentary also marks the first major directorial project by Brett Ratner following earlier allegations of misconduct, which his legal team has denied.

‘Here We Go Again’ — A Return to the Public Eye

In one trailer for the film, the scene shows Melania Trump on Inauguration Day inside the Capitol. Before being led to the Rotunda, she looks into the camera and quietly says, “Here we go again.”

She revealed in her 2024 memoir that her privacy is incredibly important to her. Unlike some of her predecessors, she is less visible in the media, something that likely shapes how the public perceives her. But Melania prefers to follow her own path.

She explained that her motivation for producing the film was to offer a window into the preparations and pressures that come with being first lady.

According to a CNN poll from January 2025, public opinion on Melania Trump is mixed — with about 40% of adults having no impression or knowledge about her. Around 30% held a positive view, with a similar portion expressing dislike.

Among Republican voters, her support was stronger — roughly 70% had favorable views, although about 25% remained neutral.

“It seems to be an effort to shape or refine her public image,” said Katherine Sibley, a historian at Saint Joseph's University. “She still holds a bit of mystery for many Americans.”

Highlighting a Busy First Year in the Second Term

At 55, Melania Trump expressed her appreciation for overseeing traditional first lady duties—such as organizing official dinners, leading holiday activities, and hosting public events like the Easter Egg Roll. Still, she mentioned wanting to make her own distinctive contributions.

She spent significant time outside of Washington over the past year to complete the film and was highly involved in every phase of its production, according to adviser Beckman.

Her recent initiatives center on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

She played a leading role in advocating for the “Take It Down Act,” which criminalizes non-consensual online sharing of intimate images. The president signed it into law and included her in the signing ceremony.

The “Fostering the Future” program was also launched via executive order, building on her earlier “Be Best” campaign, and aims to support children in the foster care system.

In a diplomatic effort, Melania drafted a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin requesting help to reunite Ukrainian families separated by conflict. Her husband delivered the letter during a summit in Alaska, and later she reported that eight children had successfully reconnected with their families.

The first lady now plays a key role in the administration’s initiatives on artificial intelligence and education policy. Recently, she expanded her foster care program to an international scale.

At the White House Christmas reception, she revealed she is working on new legislation planned for 2026, though she has yet to disclose what the proposal involves.

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Report by the Associated Press, with contributions from Linley Sanders.