00:00Amazon MGM's documentary Melania saw a sharp decline in box office performance during its
00:05second weekend in theaters. According to figures reported by Entertainment Weekly,
00:08attendance dropped by 67%, placing the film on pace to earn approximately $2.4 million for the
00:14weekend. This brings its total domestic gross to an estimated $13.4 million. Amazon acquired the
00:21film for a reported $40 million and spent an additional $35 million on marketing and promotion.
00:26The majority of the film's revenue came during its opening weekend, when it earned roughly $7
00:30million at the box office. In a statement released Saturday, Amazon MGM distribution chief Kevin
00:35Wilson described the film's theatrical run as a strong performance, saying it supported the
00:40company's broader distribution strategy by building awareness ahead of the documentary's release on
00:45Prime Video. Wilson said the company expects to recoup some of its investment through streaming-related
00:49advertising revenue and Prime subscriptions. The film has been promoted publicly by President
00:54Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during a meeting at the White House with Aviva and Keith
00:58Siegel. Israeli-American hostages who were recently freed, Melania Trump referenced the documentary
01:03while recalling a prior meeting with Aviva Siegel. When asked by a reporter whether mentioning the film
01:07during the event constituted promotion, the First Lady said it did not and emphasized that the meeting
01:12was focused on recognizing the hostages' release. Since its release, the documentary has generated debate
01:16across political and media circles. Some conservative commentators have cited its box office performance
01:21as evidence of broad public support, while critics, including late-night television host Jimmy
01:26Kimmel, have questioned the legitimacy of ticket sales. At least one box office analyst has suggested
01:30that bulk ticket purchases may have contributed to the film's reported earnings. The Military
01:34Religious Freedom Foundation has also stated that it received complaints from service members
01:38alleging they were pressured by superiors to attend screenings of the film. The group said the reports
01:43came from personnel at multiple military facilities. And don't forget to like for more breaking political news.
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