"I have nothing to do with that", Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said on 20/5, responding to allegations that his company's MGM Studios acquired and released the documentary Melania "for political motives".
Bezos dismissed the accusation that he acted to curry favor with President Donald Trump as "a never-ending fabrication".
Amazon MGM Studios spent 40 million USD on the documentary Melania, which premiered in cinemas nationwide in February, according to sources. The film chronicles the life of the U.S. First Lady in the days leading up to Trump's second presidential inauguration.
Melania served as the executive producer for the project. Sources added that the film incurred 35 million USD in promotional costs. Following its premiere, Melania reportedly grossed 16,6 million USD at the box office.
After its debut on the Prime Video platform on 9/3, the film briefly topped the charts. The production also ranked 7th on Nielsen's weekly streaming movie list, accumulating 230 million minutes watched in its first week.
"Amazon is a large company and makes many business decisions", billionaire Bezos stated, adding that the investment in the Melania documentary was "a sound business decision". He noted that the film succeeded in theaters and also found significant success on streaming platforms. "People are very curious about Melania", he said.
In March, several Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Amazon's CEO, seeking answers regarding the "substantial amount of money" spent on the film. Amazon denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the project underwent a competitive process and was chosen based on its content and audience appeal.
Ngoc Anh (According to USA Today, Hill, CNBC)
