Warren, Hank Johnson Lead New Investigation Into Amazon’s Melania Documentary Payments as Possible Corrupt Pay-To-Play Scheme

“The fact that Amazon is seeking favorable treatment from the Trump Administration while paying a far-above-market sum to produce and promote the Trump family’s film raises questions about Amazon’s exposure under federal anti-bribery law”
Text of Letter (PDF)
Washington, D.C. —U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) led a new investigation into whether Amazon’s investment in the newMelaniadocumentary, which centers on First Lady Melania Trump, was part of a corrupt pay-to-play arrangement with the Trump administration. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), along with Representatives Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), also joined the letter.
“[T]he American people deserve assurance that powerful corporations are not using their financial resources to gain political influence or favorable treatment at public expense — and that these corporations are not violating federal bribery laws,”wrote the lawmakers.
Amazon’s $40 million payment to license the film, in addition to a $35 million marketing budget, madeMelaniaone of the most expensive documentaries ever made. The company reportedly beat the next highest bidder by about $26 million,leading industry expertsto question the commercial rationale behind the bid. Amazon reportedly does not even expect to break even from its investment,raisingconcerns about whether Amazon’s financial commitment was a bribe.
An estimated 70 percent of the money Amazon paid to acquire the rights — roughly $28 million — will godirectly to Melania Trump. In addition to the financial windfall, the deal gave Melania Trump an extremely positive portrayal that has led to the film being called “favorable propaganda,” along with public attention as a “movie star,” in the words of President Trump at his State of the Union address.
At the same time, Amazon and owner Jeff Bezos have huge financial stakes in decisions pending before the administration, including:
Since President Trump’s 2024 election, Amazon hasdonated$1 million to his inauguration fund, along with an unknown sum to the President’s gold-encrusted White House ballroom. Federal bribery law makes it illegal to offer “anything of value,” including business opportunities and financial arrangements, to elected officials or people closely associated with them with the goal of influencing official acts.
“When corporate giants refuse to offer [] assurance [that they are not breaking federal anti-bribery laws] and instead transfer tens of millions of dollars to the family of a sitting President, that not only raises questions about corporate governance but also risks eroding public trust in the fairness of our economic and political systems,”concluded the lawmakers.
The members asked Amazon to explain, by March 30, 2026, its $40 million payment for the documentary, and clarify whether the company discussed its bid with Melania Trump directly or with anyone in the administration.
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