Washington, D.C. — Melania Trump, the former first lady, has seen her popularity decline to a record low, putting her in the position of the least favored first lady in modern times, based on recent polling data from YouGov. The poll, conducted in late December 2025, indicates that only 36% of Americans approve of her, with a significant 43% expressing disapproval and 18% remaining neutral.
Melania Trump’s approval ratings have waned since she left office in January 2021 with a 42% favorable standing, a figure which at the time was already the lowest for any outgoing first lady. Her decreasing popularity starkly contrasts with former first ladies like Michelle Obama, who enjoyed high approval ratings thanks partly to her active and high-profile advocacy on issues like education and healthy living.
This latest dip in Melania Trump’s popularity has coincided with a renewed focus on her public engagements and business ventures. Highlighting this new chapter is a $40 million deal with Amazon MGM Studios for a documentary titled “Melania,” produced by Muse Films. The documentary, scheduled for a theater release on January 30, 2026, before streaming on Prime Video, features behind-the-scenes footage from the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second inaugural ceremonies.
Directed by Brett Ratner, who has been previously accused by several women of sexual misconduct, the documentary provides an insight into Melania Trump’s role during the transition and her life post-White House. The promotional materials, including a mid-December trailer, offers a glimpse of her coordinating roles and personal moments, such as her phone conversations from Mar-a-Lago, congratulating her husband on his political pursuits.
Adding to the contemporary discourse surrounding Melania Trump is the topic of dual citizenship, highlighted by a contentious legislative proposal from Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio). Introduced in December 2025, the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, if passed, would compel U.S. citizens with dual nationality to forsake their foreign citizenships within a year. The bill has sparked debate, reflecting on the complexity of national identity in globalized times. Melania Trump, who holds dual U.S.-Slovenia citizenship, faces direct personal implications from such legislation.
Criticism of the bill has been vocal, with immigration attorney Michael Wildes, previously a representative for Melania Trump, labeling it as “preposterous” and a misunderstanding of the values that allow Americans the freedom of maintaining dual national identities.
Melania Trump’s personal wealth, reported to be around $70 million, combined with her husband’s estimated $5.1 billion net worth, illustrates their significant financial undertakings and real estate holdings. However, public reactions to her recent achievements, listed in a social media post, have met mixed reviews. The timing of this post, coinciding with the release of her low approval ratings, fueled further scrutiny and skepticism.
Critics note that Melania Trump’s relative reclusiveness and limited public engagement during and after her time in the White House, compared to her predecessors, have contributed significantly to her declining popularity. Moreover, her association with her husband’s controversial political stance has continually influenced public perception.
Despite these challenged ratings, Melania Trump remains a figure of intrigue, underscored by her latest foray into film. With commitments to her son Barron’s privacy and her own selective public appearances, she continues to navigate her unique post-White House life, courting both controversy and curiosity.