Melania Trump proudly addressed the audience at her movie premiere on Thursday night, claiming she was offering a rare insight into the presidency.

'Some have called this a documentary. It is not,' the First Lady said on stage at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center. 'It is a creative experience that offers perspectives, insights and moments that only few perceive.'

The documentary, titled Melania: Twenty Days to History, chronicles the dramatic lead up to Donald Trump's second inauguration, following the First Lady from Mar-a-Lago to Manhattan. 

Melania donned a Dolce and Gabbana buttoned dress and black stilettos as she was joined by Trump and a host of showbiz and political stars including Dr. Phil, Nicki Minaj and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. 

The President told reporters on the red carpet: 'This is like the good old days when the Academy Awards used to get ratings.' 

But there was a notable absence. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was slated to attend, did not appear on the red carpet as she faces intense pressure to resign after the fatal shooting of a protester by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.  

Trump showered praise on Noem's rival Tom Homan, newly installed to lead the immigration crackdown in Minnesota. 'I think he's terrific,' Trump said, adding: 'But we have to get rid of the criminals.' 

Melania, asked about her inspiration for the film, told reporters: 'Well it was my life.' 

'You will see humor, you will see grief, you will see fashion so I'm very proud of the film,' the 55-year-old told reporters. 

Trump mocked his predecessor's Netflix contract when a reporter questioned him about Amazon's $40 million deal for the movie rights: 'Ask President Obama who got paid a lot of money and hasn't done anything. Melania really produced.' 

Former Trump attorney Alina Habba donned a chic black pant suit and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins wore a glitzy jacket over a dark evening gown as they were among the first luminaries to step out. 

Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife Kelly followed, bucking the dark theme with a beige dress. The Speaker told the Daily Mail there might be a short government shutdown as Congress battles over ICE funding. 

Hegseth was joined by his wife Jennifer who wore a glittering midnight-blue jumpsuit, while Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency Lee Zeldin's wife Diana stunned in a daring white ensemble.

It was a family affair for Dr Oz who arrived with wife Lisa and their kids Oliver and Daphne.

Health Secretary RFK Jr., Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump-Kennedy Center director Ric Grenell donned navy blue suits with white shirts.

The movie directed by Brett Ratner gives a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most private first ladies in modern history. 

The President and First Lady also held a private screening at the White House the Saturday before release, controversially deciding to go forward with the event just hours after a CBP agent shot and killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Melania told The Five as part of her promotion for the movie on Wednesday that she hopes people will 'know me a little bit more' by watching the film.

'I'm a very private person and a very selective person. What I do, what I don't do; when I talk, when I don't talk. And that's my choice,' she told Fox. 

'Nobody is in charge of me and I'm not in charge of anybody else.'

The idea for the movie was born immediately after Trump's election victory, with negotiations beginning just days later on November 18 last year.

The First Lady was hands-on with every aspect of the production and insisted on cinematic excellence.

She did not want it to feel like a regular documentary, but an 'elevated film,' insiders revealed. 

Amazon MGM Studios won a bidding war among Hollywood studios to produce Melania, in what many saw as a way from billionaire owner Jeff Bezos to curry favor with the President. Disney and Paramount lost out.

'I'm a very private person and a very selective person. What I do, what I don't do; when I talk, when I don't talk. And that's my choice,' she told Fox.

Marc Beckman, Melania's agent and top adviser, led the high-stakes negotiations with Amazon boss Andy Jassy.

'I'm honored to be working with Amazon - they've been great partners from the minute we started to negotiate the deal, through production and now as we gear up for the film's release,' Beckman said. 

The film marks another milestone for the First Lady following the release of her memoir, also titled Melania, which has dominated the New York Times bestseller list since its release in October 2024. 

The trailer for the film concludes with Melania revealing why she wanted to make the film as she navigates a second term with a shrewd experience about the scrutiny that comes with the role.

'Everyone wants to know. So here it is,' she says.