Documentary 'Melania' Exceeds Expectations with $7 Million Opening Weekend
A new documentary about former First Lady Melania Trump, titled "Melania," surpassed box office expectations, earning an estimated $7.04 million during its opening weekend, according to TechCrunch. The film secured the third-place spot overall, trailing behind "Send Help," directed by Sam Raimi, which grossed $20 million, and "Iron Lung," a video game adaptation from YouTuber Mark Fischbach (Markiplier), which earned $17.8 million.
Amazon acquired the rights to "Melania" for $40 million and is reportedly spending an additional $35 million on its promotion, TechCrunch reported. Despite outperforming pre-release estimates of a $3 to $5 million opening weekend, the documentary is unlikely to become profitable in theaters, according to analysts. Amazon's bid was $26 million higher than the next highest bidder, Disney, leading critics to suggest the deal had less to do with financial prospects.
In other tech news, Bill Gates has refuted accusations contained in recently released Epstein files as "absolutely absurd," The Verge reported. The accusations stem from emails that suggest Gates contracted an STD and wanted to surreptitiously give Melinda antibiotics.
Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk's efforts to rebrand the company as more than just an electric vehicle manufacturer continue, according to TechCrunch. Musk has pushed the idea of Tesla as a sustainable energy, AI, and robotics company. However, the bulk of Tesla's revenue still comes from EV sales. In 2025, the company generated $94.8 billion in revenue, with $69.5 billion originating from the sale and leasing of electric vehicles, as well as regulatory credits, TechCrunch noted.
The Verge also highlighted the Antigravity A1 360-degree drone, which is currently on sale for 15 percent off through February 9th. The discount lowers the starting price from $1,599. Additionally, The Verge reviewed the Xteink X4, a tiny pocket-friendly e-reader.
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