'Good Business Decision'
TheWrap • • business
Key Points:
- Jeff Bezos defended Amazon MGM Studios' decision to release the Melania Trump documentary, calling it a "good business decision" and denying rumors that it was made to curry favor with President Trump.
- Bezos clarified that he had no involvement in the documentary's production or acquisition and dismissed claims that it originated from a conversation with Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
- The documentary, acquired by Amazon for $40 million with an additional $35 million spent on marketing, grossed $16.6 million at the box office despite negative critical reviews.
- Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, accused Bezos and Amazon of using the documentary as a form of bribery, but Amazon officials maintained that the decision was purely based on business and audience interest.
- Amazon Vice President Brian Huseman emphasized that the licensing followed a competitive bidding process and highlighted the documentary's unique access and cultural relevance as key factors in their decision.