Melania Trump’s documentary struggles to draw crowds on opening weekend, empty theaters prompt viral advertisement offering $50 to attend film screening

In a startling twist for the first lady and political media watchers, Melania, the high-profile documentary chronicling the life of First Lady Melania Trump, struggled to draw audiences on its opening weekend, prompting an unusual incentive: a Craigslist ad offering free tickets plus $50 per seat to anyone willing to sit through the film.

Despite President Donald Trump’s claims that the documentary was “selling out fast,” theaters across the United States, and even internationally, reported near-empty auditoriums, raising questions about the film’s appeal and Amazon’s $40 million investment in its rights.

Melania is a documentary chronicling First Lady Melania Trump’s private life leading up to the 2025 inauguration. The film explores her personal journey and public role in American politics. It was produced by Amazon.


As nationwide ticket sales lagged, a Craigslist ad spotted by producer Nate Gilbert offering free tickets and $50 to Boston viewers willing to watch the film went viral.

“Attend MELANIA documentary at any Boston area theatre during opening weekend (this upcoming weekend),” the Craigslist ad reads. “Free tickets + $50 per seat occupied.”

“Must remain in seats for entirety of film.”

The ad’s emergence came amid reports that Melania was struggling to sell tickets on its own, with Gilbert revealing via screenshots that not a single ticket had been sold for opening night at Boston’s largest theater.

The results matched CNN analyst Harry Enten’s $1–$5 million projection, marking a major loss for Amazon, which paid $40 million for the film.

Internationally, the film fared poorly, with journalist Jack Quann noting just 13 tickets sold between two Dublin theaters. According to Canadian user @WannaBeCritic8, in Toronto’s largest theater, no tickets had been sold.

A tweet mocked Toronto’s turnout for the film, “Not one ticket sold yet for #Melania. Hope this movie makes 7 bucks.”