The president, first lady and top members of the Trump administration descended on the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts this evening for the premiere of “Melania,” a new documentary the first lady executive produced. You can guess what it’s about.
The premiere is being held inside the arts institution that the president and his friends have just renamed after himself.
Amazon paid Mrs. Trump’s production company $40 million for the film and then coughed up another $35 million to promote it. It’s an extraordinary sum — other big documentaries might get one tenth that marketing budget — and it’s clearly being put to use tonight. The halls of the arts institution are decked out in “MELANIA” décor. There are massive banners bearing her name hanging from the walls and a long red carpet situation. Critics say Amazon’s push is the company’s attempt to ingratiate itself with President Trump.
Senior White House staffers, cabinet members and Republican lawmakers are turning up for the premiere, which is coming as the administration finds itself embroiled in chaos over the bloodshed in Minneapolis and concerns about a growing affordability crisis that has been denting the president’s poll numbers.
Shawn McCreesh is a White House reporter for The Times covering the Trump administration.
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