Grand Theft America / Receipt money-2025-01-08-001
Amazon licenses Melania Trump documentary for $40 million
Amazon MGM Studios agreed to pay a reported $40 million to license a documentary and companion series about First Lady Melania Trump.
What happened
Amazon reportedly paid about $40 million to acquire the 'Melania' documentary and spent roughly $35 million marketing it; the deal was reported in January 2025. On his 2025 financial disclosure, released in 2026, Trump reported a $10.71 million licensing fee from the project as income for Melania Trump. The $40 million is the reported gross acquisition cost; the $10.71 million is the amount disclosed as flowing to Melania personally, which is the figure counted here.
Why it matters
Amazon paid a reported $40M to license a documentary about Melania Trump, with disclosures showing a $10.71M licensing fee paid to the first lady personally, while Amazon had regulatory and contracting matters before the government. A large payment to the president's spouse from a company with business before the administration raises a conflict.
Receipt details
- Take the foreign money
- Realized income
- $10.71M
