Amazon MGM Studios producer Marc Beckman has categorically dismissed swirling reports suggesting Amazon founder Jeff Bezos played any role in the documentary deal involving former US First Lady Melania Trump. This clarification directly addresses persistent rumors that Melania Trump had pitched the project directly to the billionaire during a family meal at Mar-a-Lago last year.
Setting the Record Straight on Bezos's Involvement
Beckman, who serves as both a producer on the film and Melania Trump's exclusive senior advisor, provided detailed context about the nature of the interaction. He emphasized that Melania's only mention of the documentary project to Bezos during that meal occurred after other Amazon executives had already been engaged in discussions about the potential deal. The producer's statement aims to correct the narrative that this social gathering was any form of business negotiation.
Substantial Financial Investment in the Project
Bezos's Amazon MGM Studios acquired the rights to the feature-length documentary about Melania Trump for a substantial $40 million, with an additional $35 million allocated for a comprehensive global marketing campaign. The film, directed by Brett Ratner, offers an intimate look at Melania Trump during the critical 20-day period leading up to last year's US presidential inauguration, providing unprecedented access to her personal and public moments.
Exclusive White House Screening Details
The documentary recently received an exclusive preview screening at a White House promotional event attended by approximately 70 assorted VIPs from various industries. Notable attendees included Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy, Apple's CEO Tim Cook, AMD CEO Lisa Su, Amazon executive Mike Hopkins, and former boxing champion Mike Tyson. The event featured custom-made popcorn buckets, framed screening tickets as memorabilia, and a military band performing a specially composed piece titled "Melania's Waltz" from the film's soundtrack.
Interestingly, despite the high-profile nature of the event and the presence of numerous Amazon executives, Jeff Bezos himself was conspicuously absent from the White House screening, further underscoring his detachment from the project's operational aspects.
Producer's Detailed Account of Negotiations
In an exclusive statement to Page Six, producer Marc Beckman provided unequivocal details about the negotiation process: "Bezos wasn't involved in the contract negotiations at all, ever... He never had a conversation with me about anything surrounding the film — ever." Beckman elaborated on what actually transpired during the Mar-a-Lago meal, explaining that when Melania mentioned to Bezos that Beckman was in talks with Amazon's executive leadership, Bezos had no prior knowledge of either the film or the ongoing contract discussions.
Beckman characterized the gathering as "a friendly meal with family members present, and definitely not a setting for a contract negotiation." He further clarified his direct communication channels, stating: "[The] first person I reached out to at Amazon was in its executive leadership … I never interacted with Jeff — not an email, a text, he was never involved."
Professional Admiration for Amazon's Team
Beyond clarifying Bezos's non-involvement, Beckman expressed genuine professional admiration for the Amazon team that handled the project. He noted: "During the process, I became very impressed with Amazon's team, their vision, and experience in the film industry. It was definitely one of the key determining factors in making the deal." This comment highlights that the decision to partner with Amazon MGM Studios was based on the company's professional capabilities rather than any personal connections or direct involvement from its founder.
The producer's comprehensive statements provide crucial transparency about the business dynamics behind one of the most talked-about documentary deals in recent memory, separating factual business proceedings from speculative narratives about high-profile interactions.
