At a Glance
- Donald and Melania Trump will attend the Jan. 29 premiere of Melania at the Trump Kennedy Center.
- The board renamed the historic venue after the president on Dec. 18, 2025.
- The film chronicles Melania’s first 20 days of 2025 ahead of Trump’s second inauguration.
- Why it matters: The renaming has sparked legal and public backlash from the Kennedy family and arts advocates.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will walk the red carpet at the newly christened Trump Kennedy Center for the world premiere of Melania, a documentary tracking her private life during the final stretch of the 2025 transition.
Documentary Details
Directed by Brett Ratner, the 90-minute feature captures:
- Never-before-seen footage of the Trump family’s return to Washington
- Melania’s behind-the-scenes role in inauguration planning
- Her juggling of family, business, and philanthropy duties
Amazon licensed the project; Jeff Bezos reportedly took a “personal interest” in securing the rights, per the New York Post. Melania serves as executive producer and teased the film as “history … in motion.”
The Renaming Backlash
Timeline of the name change:
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | Trump first used “Trump/Kennedy Center” on Truth Social |
| Dec 18 2025 | Board vote formalizes new name |
| Dec 19 2025 | Website and signage updated overnight |
Maria Shriver, JFK’s niece, called the move “beyond comprehension,” insisting the center was created as a living memorial to her uncle’s arts legacy. Ex-officio board members claim they were blocked from voting, prompting talk of possible legal action.
Key Takeaways
- The premiere is Jan. 29; the film hits theaters Jan. 30.
- Congress originally dedicated the venue to John F. Kennedy after his 1963 assassination.
- The renamed Trump Kennedy Center now bears dual branding on all official materials.
As the first couple prepares for their close-up on opening night, the controversy over the name change promises to share the spotlight.
