Elizabeth Warren accuses Amazon MGM of ‘bribery’ over ‘Melania’ documentary deal

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is accusing Amazon MGM Studios of committing “high-profile corruption” after the company paid $40 million to acquire a documentary about first lady Melania Trump, a sum the Massachusetts Democrat said far exceeded competing bids and raised questions about federal anti-corruption law.

Amazon MGM paid an additional $35 million to market the film, according to Variety, which was first to report the exchange of letters between congressional lawmakers and the studio. The outlet reported that the studio’s offer was $26 million higher than the next highest offer, submitted by Disney.

“If there is nothing corrupt about this deal and the bidding process was truly ‘competitive,’ why isn’t Amazon explaining why it would have paid three times as much as the next highest bidder?” Ms Warren said in a statement. “The logical explanation is that Amazon is trying to buy the president’s favor by pouring millions into the Trump family’s pockets. This looks like obvious corruption, and Amazon needs to give Congress – and the American people – answers now.”

Ms. Warren and Rep. Hank Johnson, Democrat of Georgia, sent a letter to Amazon on March 15, raising concerns that the studio’s investment in “Melania” was “part of a corrupt pay-to-play deal with the Trump administration.” Federal anti-corruption law prohibits offering “anything of value,” including business opportunities and financial arrangements, to elected officials or people closely associated with them for the purpose of influencing official actions.

Lawmakers also noted that since President Trump’s election in 2024, Amazon has donated $1 million to his inauguration fund and an undisclosed amount toward the construction of a new ballroom at the White House. They further cited Amazon’s financial interests in several matters brought before the administration, including a recently settled antitrust case with the Federal Trade Commission, foreign trade negotiations and federal contracts.

Amazon has pushed back on the allegations. Brian Huseman, the company’s vice president of public policy, said in a March 30 statement that the studio’s decision was driven solely by the film’s merits.

“We disagree with any suggestion that Amazon’s decision to license this film and its accompanying series was inappropriate. We regularly release documentaries that offer unique perspectives on cultural and historical figures from across the political spectrum,” Huseman said, according to Variety. “Amazon MGM Studios became the licensor of the film and accompanying series following an extensive and competitive bidding process.”

“Melania” chronicles the first lady’s journey to her husband’s second inauguration. After its theatrical release in late January, the film grossed $16.6 million at the worldwide box office – a good result for a documentary but insufficient to recoup the studio’s total outlay, given that exhibitors keep about half of the ticket sales. It later moved to Amazon Prime.

The controversy played out against a broader backdrop of media companies making financial settlements with Mr. Trump. Paramount paid $16 million last summer to settle a “60 Minutes”-related lawsuit that the company initially called unfounded. Earlier, Disney paid $15 million to Mr. Trump’s presidential library to resolve a defamation lawsuit against ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos.

Ms. Warren said Amazon’s response to the lawmakers’ investigation “reeks of desperation to please Donald Trump.”

Mr Johnson echoed that sentiment, saying Amazon’s refusal to answer specific questions had only deepened his concerns.

“If there really was nothing to see, then Amazon would have answered these fundamental questions,” he said.