Full Breakdown
Controversy Surrounds Melania Trump Documentary Over Music Rights
2/9/2026, 9:47:35 PM
Music Misuse Allegations in Melania Documentary
Director Paul Thomas Anderson and Radiohead lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood have publicly called for the removal of a piece of music from the documentary *Melania*, which is centered on Melania Trump. In a statement released on Monday, the duo highlighted that a song from Anderson's acclaimed 2017 film *Phantom Thread* was used without proper consultation. They asserted that this constitutes a breach of Greenwood's composer agreement, as he was not consulted by Universal regarding this third-party use of the score. The specific piece in question is an excerpt from “Barbara Rose,” which was originally composed for a scene in *Phantom Thread* where a character passes out in a drunken stupor.
Financial Struggles of the Documentary
The *Melania* documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, has faced significant financial challenges since its release. Despite a budget of approximately $75 million, including marketing costs, the film has only managed to earn $11.8 million at the domestic box office as of last Friday. This disappointing performance follows a $40 million acquisition by Amazon Studios and MGM, which was accompanied by an additional $35 million marketing investment. The film opened in 2,000 theaters and saw a further expansion to 2,200 theaters leading up to the Super Bowl, yet it experienced a 67% drop in earnings during its second weekend.
Public Reception and Criticism
*Melania* has been met with mixed reviews, facing accusations of online review manipulation. On Letterboxd, it ranks among the worst films in history, while it paradoxically holds a near-perfect 99% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have not held back in their assessments; Kevin Fallon from The Daily Beast described the film as “terrible,” suggesting that its few humorous moments were likely unintentional.
Official Statements & Responses
In their statement, Anderson and Greenwood expressed their disappointment regarding the unauthorized use of their music, emphasizing the importance of respecting artistic agreements. They stated, “It has come to our attention that a piece of music from *Phantom Thread* has been used in the Melania documentary,” and called for its removal.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the documentary has garnered significant attention, there are discrepancies in its reception. The stark contrast between audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and the critical reviews raises questions about the authenticity of viewer responses. Additionally, the financial performance of the film has not met expectations, leading to speculation about its future viability in theaters and on streaming platforms.
What's Next for the Documentary?
As *Melania* continues to screen in theaters nationwide, it is set to become available for streaming on Amazon Prime. The ongoing controversy surrounding the music rights may further impact its reception and viewership.
