First lady Melania Trump’s documentary “Melania” got critical reviews despite exceeding expectations at the box office. Now, late-night television is weighing in.
“Melania,” out in theaters on Jan. 30, follows Trump’s journey back to the White House in early 2025. It reveals little about her, and leans heavily on picturesque shots and an upbeat soundtrack. Upping the controversy around it, the film was directed by Rush Hour director Brett Ratner, his first big project since he was accused of sexual harassment in 2017.
Variety’s film critic called the documentary, “a piece of state-sanctioned propaganda out of 1960s Communist China.” The Atlantic said that “Ratner seems desperate to find action, but there is none.” Still, the film recorded an estimated a $7 million opening weekend.
But this week, the late-night television hosts had some fun with it. Here is what they had to say:
Who played Melania Trump on Stephen Colbert?
On “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” the host brought in some backup to spoof on Trump’s demeanor. In the Feb. 4 show, actress Laura Benanti appeared as the first lady, speaking in an accent with signature honey-waved hair and an exaggerated modeling expression.
Colbert presses the actress on what the movie is about, alluding to the first lady’s comments that it isn’t a documentary, but something more artistic.
“It’s about $28 million in my pocket, cha-chingaaaa!” Benanti says in character. “Just like me, it is a very creepy mystery.”
In one of the more personal moments of the movie, Ratner and Trump are in a car together, where she tells him “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson is her favorite song and they sing along together.
Colbert asks Benanti why it is her favorite.
“Let’s just say it brings a smile to my face every time I look at Eric and think, ‘the kid is not my son,'” she says before moonwalking off camera.
Jimmy Kimmel alludes to box office rigging
In Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue on Feb. 4, he warned of President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about the upcoming elections.
“Speaking of rigged outcomes, the ‘Melania’ documentary, now allegedly, they exceeded box office expectations,” Kimmel said. The $7 million opening weekend gives the film the best start for a documentary, except concert films, in over a decade, according to the New York Times. But it still falls far behind the $40 million Amazon MGM Studios paid for it, with a reported additional $35 million in marketing.
“A lot of people, myself included, have been wondering how this movie managed to sell $7 million worth of tickets last weekend when almost every theater seemed to be empty leading up to the release,” Kimmel said.
He pointed to how the Republican National Committee paid almost $100,000 for Donald Trump Jr.’s book “Triggered” in 2019 as “donor mementos,” and the book topped the New York Times best-seller list, according to the Times.
Kimmel’s monologue on “Melania” occurred the same day that sweeping layoffs hit The Washington Post.
“Jeff Bezos, who paid for that garbage, just laid off hundreds of journalists at The Washington Post,” Kimmel said. “I guess he spent all the budget on Melania. Well done, Jeff.”
Seth Meyers: ‘Least animated feature’
On “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” the host took a few swipes at the documentary in the days leading up to its release.
“It’s already getting some award buzz for least animated feature,” he said in one monologue.
He also poked fun at the president after the private screening of the movie at the White House.
“Man, they are really testing his ability to stay awake,” he said. “‘Sir, would you like to sit in the dark and watch a movie about your wife? Sir? He’s already out.'”
Contributing: Jay Stahl, Brian Truitt, Kate Perez, USA TODAY
Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at KCrowley@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X (Twitter), Bluesky and TikTok.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Late-night hosts take on Melania Trump’s documentary. See their jokes
Reporting by Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
