Tracy Mumford

It is Melania.

The film follows the first lady in the days leading up to Trump's inauguration last year.

The documentary has drawn controversy ever since it went into production.

It was directed by Brett Ratner, who hasn't made a film since 2017 when multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.

More eyebrows went up when the documentary was sold.

Amazon paid Melania Trump's production company $40 million for the film's rights.

That was $26 million more than the next highest bidder.

In a statement, Amazon said, We licensed the film for one reason and one reason only, because we think customers are going to love it.

But many in Hollywood have questioned the company's motivations, since Amazon is unlikely to recoup its massive investment.

One former senior employee at Amazon's film division called it a blatant attempt to win over the Trumps.

He said, quote, How can it not be equated with currying favor or an outright bribe?

For comparison, if you look at another political documentary, the 2018 Oscar-nominated film RBG about the life of the Supreme Court justice, it had a total promotional budget of about $3 million, less than a tenth of what's being spent to push Melania.

Those are the headlines.

I'm Tracy Mumford.

We'll be back tomorrow with the latest and the Friday News Quiz.

From The New York Times, it's The Headlines.

I'm Tracy Mumford.

Today's Monday, January 26th.

Here's what we're covering.

The second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis has kicked off what's become a new pattern from the Trump administration, of officials immediately going on the offensive, demonizing the victim, and often distorting the facts of what happened.