Melania Trump
Critics Bash New Doc, But Audiences Can’t Get Enough
Published
January 31, 2026
12:18 PM PST
The new documentary about First Lady Melania Trump might not win an Oscar at next year’s Academy Awards … but it seems her fans will loyally defend it — because the Rotten Tomatoes audience score is through the roof.
“Melania” came out in theaters Friday … and early reviews show as sharp a split as any between the Democrat and Republican parties.
At the time of publishing, critics gave the doc just a 12% on Rotten Tomatoes — put into context, just 2 of the 17 uploaded critic reviews are positive.
Two critics — one from the Irish Times and the other a writer for entertainment outlet Consequence — have already likened Brett Ratner’s work to that of Leni Riefenstahl … a German filmmaker who made propaganda for the Nazis.
On the flip side, the Rotten Tomatoes audience score sits at 99% … with many reviewers lauding Melania for her patriotism and some even claiming their theaters erupted in cheers when the flick ended. Of course, Trump supporters likely make up a majority of the opening weekend audience — but still, the percentage is huge.
“Melania” has already generated a ton of controversy … with Rolling Stone reporting earlier this week that production of the film was a nightmare — with their sources alleging the production was chaotic and disorderly.
Crew members made it clear Melania herself was kind to them … but alleged director Ratner — who has previously been accused of sexual misconduct — was a total tyrant on set.
Anyhoo … with such a big divide between critics and audiences, we gotta ask — who do you believe???
