January 30, 2026
Prime or bribe? The internet decides
Amazon's Spending on 'Melania' Is a Barely Concealed Bribe
Internet yells cash-for-favors at $75M 'Melania' deal, AWS bill jokes and bribery memes
TLDR: Amazon reportedly shelled out $75 million on a Melania Trump documentary, with $28 million said to go to her personally. Commenters blast it as a pay-to-play move, while others say presidents regularly land big media deals; everyone’s watching the ad spend and joking about AWS customers footing the bill.
Amazon reportedly paid $40 million for the rights to “Melania,” with another $35 million reserved for promotion — a whopping $75 million total, far beyond normal documentary budgets, per the New York Times. Commenters aren’t shy: “It’s a naked bribe,” cried one, pointing to reports that $28 million went to Melania Trump personally. Another joked to check your AWS bill, implying customers may be subsidizing the hype for a film expected to struggle overseas.
The thread turned into a political cage match. One camp says this smells like corporate flattery aimed at currying favor with President Trump. A skeptic chimed in: “No points for guessing which social media platform gets that ad spend,” hinting at friendly channels. Others pushed back with receipts, citing presidents’ mega media deals — the Obamas’ book and Netflix money — arguing this is just how power cashes in.
Comparisons to “RBG” were everywhere: CNN’s doc reportedly cost around $1 million with $3 million in marketing and still topped the year. So why $35 million now? Cue memes about “Prime Bribe,” “Open-Air Seafood Market,” and a marketing blitz big enough to buy its own Oscars campaign.
Bottom line: the numbers are wild and everyone’s grabbing popcorn.
Key Points
- •Amazon paid $40 million for rights to the documentary “Melania,” including a related docuseries.
- •Amazon’s marketing budget for “Melania” is $35 million, far above typical documentary promotion.
- •The deal outbid Disney by about $26 million; $28 million is believed to have gone to Melania Trump personally.
- •Comparative example: “RBG” cost about $1 million to produce, $3 million to promote, and grossed $14 million.
- •“Melania” will open in 1,600 theaters overseas, with FilmNation distributing in more than 20 countries; international sales are expected to be weak.