Additional Coverage:
- Religious freedom group says US military members were ‘pressured’ by commanders to see ‘Melania’ (businessinsider.com)
Military Members Report Pressure to See “Melania” Documentary
The new documentary “Melania,” chronicling the life of former First Lady Melania Trump, made a surprising splash at the box office this past weekend, pulling in $7 million. While critical reviews have been less than stellar, the numbers suggest a strong audience turnout. However, an advocacy group is raising concerns that not all viewings may have been entirely voluntary.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) reports receiving complaints from service members at eight different military bases worldwide, alleging they felt “pressured” to see the film. Mikey Weinstein, president and founder of the MRFF, a former Air Force officer and attorney, stated, “People are scared. They were pressured to see the movie.”
Weinstein highlighted the unique power dynamic within the military, emphasizing that a superior’s suggestion can feel like an order. “Your military superior, that’s not your shift manager at Taco Bell or Starbucks.
They have complete and total control over you,” he explained. The MRFF represents nearly 100,000 current and former service members who feel coerced into unconstitutional observances.
One active-duty service member, whose identity was withheld by the MRFF, shared an email detailing how their unit commander suggested unit members and their families join him for a screening of “Melania” at an off-base theater. This event was reportedly categorized as a “Unit Activity Event” (UAE), which are morale-boosting activities like flag football or barbecues. The email stated that units are typically required to attend a certain number of these monthly events, with penalties for non-attendance.
When asked if any of the MRFF’s clients who reported pressure managed to skip the film, Weinstein responded, “Every one of our clients who came to us either went to see it or suddenly got sick.”
A Department of Defense official, when contacted for comment, stated that “There is no Department of War directive requiring service members to see this film, though the film is fantastic.”