The Meaning of 'Melania'
February 7, 2026
25 min
Bonus
342 of 364
February 7, 2026
The Meaning of 'Melania'
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The Atlantic Episodes Around February 7, 2026
Episode 342 of 364 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
25:49This episodeThe Meaning of 'Melania'
Summary
The Melania movie is pitched as a documentary following the first lady of the United States in the lead-up to her husband’s second inauguration. But it’s missing all the hallmarks of a journalistic, biographical film. What you get instead is a series of aphorisms that clang loudly against the reality being shaped by Donald Trump. And of course, shot after shot of $1,000 shoes, gold decorations, and private planes.
The Atlantic staff writer Sophie Gilbert describes the film as a “two-hour perfume commercial." Gilbert joins the show to talk about the movie, about the real Melania, and about President Trump’s efforts to shape culture.
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