Melania Trump stepped onto the New York Stock Exchange floor Wednesday morning, commanding attention in a black coat dress cinched at the waist with a striking leather corset-style belt.
The First Lady completed the look with her signature Christian Louboutin So Kate 120mm pumps in black patent leather. Her hair styled loose paired with her trademark smokey eye, pink lip, and neutral nail polish.
The occasion was as symbolic as it was stylish. Melania rang the opening bell ahead of the premiere of her self-titled Amazon MGM Studios documentary, 'Melania,' offering a rare glimpse at her life in the days leading up to her husband Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025.
Before striking the bell, Melania addressed the crowd, calling Wall Street an "honor" to visit. “Superior storytelling drives culture, and in turn, moves markets,” she said.
“In the near future, cultural influence will matter as much as economic power. Our ability to tell our stories and emotionally connect with audiences is paramount. People long to be moved. We need stories that inspire dreams, offer hope, tales of redemption, sad stories, love stories, and funny stories. We want to feel human.”
The NYSE honored her appearance with a custom engraved commemorative plate presented by NYSE President Lynn Martin, a first for the iconic financial institution. Jeffrey Sprecher, Chair and CEO of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., also joined the ceremony.
Notably absent from the event were President Trump and their son Barron, who was 19 at the time. The president, meanwhile, was in Washington, D.C., attending a Treasury Department summit alongside rapper Nicki Minaj and businessman Kevin O’Leary.
The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, offers an unprecedented perspective on the 20 days preceding the inauguration. Footage showcases Melania navigating her daily life, from ascending stairs to her private jet in stilettos, managing Mar-a-Lago and Manhattan meetings, and dazzling in her black-and-white inaugural ball gown, to intimate family moments with Barron and her father.
Behind-the-scenes security and protocol detail the immense planning that surrounds the First Family. Amazon MGM Studios secured the film for a record-breaking $40 million, outbidding Disney, Netflix, and Paramount. Marketing efforts are equally ambitious, with an estimated $35 million spent globally on billboards, ads, and even projections on the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Melania served as executive producer, deeply involved in every stage, from production to postproduction, trailer creation, and ad campaigns. Her senior adviser Marc Beckman told One America News, “She was involved in the production, the postproduction, all of the ad campaign, the trailer. … And when I say involved, I mean she’s not just approving. She built that trailer. She created the cliffhanger, she selected the music. Same thing with the ad campaign that we’re seeing worldwide now in almost 30 countries.”
The film will debut at the Kennedy Center on Thursday, January 29, before a nationwide release on Friday, January 30. Several invitation-only screenings will take place simultaneously in cities including New York, Boston, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles, though press were not admitted ahead of the global release.
Melania previewed the documentary privately at the White House on Saturday, January 24, posting to X. “A Historic Moment. I am deeply humbled to have been surrounded by an inspiring room of friends, family, and cultural iconoclasts at the White House last night. Each of these individuals brought their unique vision to the world, making a lasting impression. Our personal stories endure time and serve as a reminder of our mutual obligation to one another. It was an honor to present my new film, MELANIA, ahead of its global launch.”
During her NYSE remarks, Melania spoke about the power of film to connect people. “Visual storytelling and beautiful music create memories for a lifetime. What do you remember when you hear Rolling Stones? Michael Jackson? Films bring families and friends together, sitting side by side, sharing a collective moment. In doing so, they will not simply watch a film; they will participate in a great American tradition and become part of our nation’s history. Thank you for joining me on this historic morning and enjoy the film.”
With the documentary poised to reach global audiences, Melania appears focused on bridging her world of high fashion, family, and politics with her latest endeavor in filmmaking.