Rotten Tomatoes Confirms ‘Melania’ 99% Audience Score Is Real, Not Bots

Hollywood is still in denial that “Melania,” a documentary about first lady Melania Trump and wife of President Donald Trump, is outperforming expectations, floating conspiracy theories that include claims the film’s positive audience reviews are fake. But the owner of Rotten Tomatoes says those glowing fan response is 100% real.

“There has been no bot manipulation on the audience reviews for the ‘Melania’ documentary,” Versant, the parent company of the popular review aggregator, said in a statement to Variety. “Reviews displayed on the Popcornmeter are VERIFIED reviews, meaning it has been verified that users have bought a ticket to the film.”

“Melania” currently has one of the largest disparities between critics’ and audience scores on the site, with reviewers giving the film a 7% rating and moviegoers giving it a 99% rating. About 75% of the audience was women aged 55 and older. 

Avowed leftist late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is one of Hollywood’s most perplexed, as he mentioned during his monologue on Wednesday. 

“As of tonight, Melania has a score of 5% on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics. That is very low. To put that in perspective, that is 1% lower than ‘Gigli.’ The audience score for ‘Melania’ is 99% positive, which is 1% higher than ‘The Godfather.’ And I’m sure Donald J. Corleone had nothing to do with that at all,” he said. 

“We need to get to the bottom of this,” Kimmel went on. “Send in Tulsi Gabbard and the FBI! Seize the ticket machines, the popcorn buckets, the box office receipts, at every multiplex in America!”

Movie industry insiders projected an abysmal opening weekend for “Melania,” but were quickly proven wrong when it raked in around $7 million.

At the premiere in Washington, D.C. last week, Melania told reporters that success, to her, didn’t depend on box office numbers.

“I’m very proud of the film, so people may like it, may [not] like it, and that’s their choice,” the first lady told CNN.

“We achieved what we want to achieve,” Melania later added. “For myself, it’s already successful. I’m very proud of what we did.”

“Melania” is directed by Brett Ratner, who is best known for the “Rush Hour” franchise. The documentary provides a glimpse into Melania’s behind-the-scenes world during the 20 days leading up to her husband’s second inauguration.

The verified reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes had plenty of positive things to say. 

“An inside look at inaugural preparations, done in style,” one verified reviewer wrote. “Also getting to know our First Lady in a more personal way. The lady who is smart, elegant, stylish, beautiful & someone who loves this country & appreciates all that it offers.”

“Wow. Thought I may like it for the fashion take on it. But it was so much more. Absolutely loved it. Regardless if you like her or not- this documentary was really, really good,” another moviegoer agreed.