Hollywood claims to serve as the ultimate champion for women. Yet a deafening silence currently greets the vicious media attacks launched against the former First Lady. As critics tear apart the new Melania documentary with personal insults rather than professional analysis, the selective outrage of modern feminism is once again on full display. This lack of support exposes a deep fracture in how public figures are treated based on their politics rather than their gender.
The Double Standard in Film Reviews
The release of the new documentary chronicling Melania Trump’s journey back to the political spotlight has triggered a wave of hostility. Legacy media outlets have wasted no time in declaring war on the project. Instead of reviewing the filmmaking or the narrative arc, many critics have resorted to attacking Mrs. Trump personally.
Reviews from major publications have drifted far from standard critique. Reports indicate that outlets like The Guardian focused on mocking her physical appearance and her voice. This crosses a line that professional journalism usually respects. A critic is supposed to review the art and not the artist.
When a reviewer targets a subject’s face or accent, it screams of unprofessionalism. It distracts from the content of the film. It also reveals a bias that would likely spark outrage if directed at a liberal figure.
Consider the following contrast in media treatment:
- Liberal Figures: Reviews focus on their accomplishments, struggles, and policy positions. Personal attacks on appearance are labeled sexist.
- Conservative Figures: Reviews often mock their style, mannerisms, and physical traits. Such attacks are frequently applauded as patriotic or brave.
If you are going to torch the appearance of a First Lady, it is unwise to savage a former model. It makes the critic look petty rather than insightful. Yet this behavior continues unchecked because there is no pushback from the groups that usually police such language.
Melania Trump documentary movie reel on red carpet with spotlight
Box Office Battles and Media Narrative
The narrative warfare began well before the film hit the screen. Weeks prior to the premiere, various news outlets circulated stories about “lousy” pre-release ticket sales. This is a common tactic used to dampen enthusiasm.
By framing a project as a failure before it even launches, media outlets try to create a self-fulfilling prophecy. They want the public to believe nobody cares.
However, the reality often differs from the headlines. Supporters argue that the film offers a rare glimpse into the life of a private woman who has been misunderstood. The media paints a picture of rejection, while supporters see a story of resilience.
USA Today reportedly argued that attacking the film was a patriotic act. This takes film criticism into the realm of political activism. When a major newspaper suggests that disliking a movie is a civic duty, it removes the possibility of an honest review.
This coordinated effort to sink the film highlights a fear of the subject matter. If Melania Trump is humanized, it complicates the narrative that her critics have built for years.
Where Is the Sisterhood Now
The most glaring aspect of this saga is the silence from Hollywood feminists. The MeToo movement exploded in the late 2010s with a promise to support all women. A-list actresses marched in the streets to protest political figures they disliked.
They established a mantra to “believe all women” and stand against misogyny in all forms. But that solidarity appears to vanish when the woman in question is a Republican.
We have seen this inconsistency before.
- Joe Biden: When the current President faced credible accusations from a former staffer, many feminist voices looked the other way.
- Gina Carano: When Disney fired the actress for a clumsy plea for tolerance, no major feminist groups came to her defense.
- Melania Trump: Now, as she faces attacks on her looks and intelligence, the “sisterhood” is nowhere to be found.
Inconsistency matters. It is the primary reason why fewer people take celebrity activism seriously today. True advocacy does not check a voter registration card before offering support.
We may disagree on politics, but all First Ladies deserve a basic level of respect. Treating Mrs. Trump in this fashion is pure misogyny. The silence from those who claim to fight for women rings louder than any shout.
A History of Selective Outrage
This is not the first time feminists have gone silent while Mrs. Trump faced gross attacks. The pattern is well established. During the first Trump administration, comedians like Sacha Baron Cohen and Jimmy Kimmel sexualized the First Lady routinely.
There was no outcry. There were no boycotts. There were only crickets.
Compare this to the treatment of Hillary Clinton. When TBS mocked the former First Lady’s laugh, the network offered a groveling apology. They understood that mocking a female politician’s mannerisms was off limits.
Expect no apologies for this current round of attacks on Melania. The cruelty seems to be the point. The goal is to demean her to the point where her influence is nullified.
The media landscape has shifted. It is no longer about reporting news or reviewing art. It is about protecting a specific worldview. Anyone outside that bubble is fair game for ridicule.
The attacks on the Melania documentary serve as a reminder of where our culture stands. We preach kindness and tolerance, but we practice it selectively. Until dignity is afforded to women on both sides of the aisle, the claims of feminist progress will remain hollow.
