Jeff Bezos defends Amazon’s controversial $40m Melania film as ‘a good business decision’

Jeff Bezos has defended Amazon’s controversial Melania documentary as “a good business decision” while denying any personal involvement. The Amazon founder and executive chairman was asked about the film during an interview on CNBC this week. The film, which followed the first lady in the period before Donald Trump’s second inauguration, was purchased by the company for $40m with Melania herself making a reported $28m. Amazon also spent around $35m on marketing. Bezos, who also attended the inauguration, has refuted claims that he engineered the deal. “The Melania thing is a falsehood that will not die,” he said. The billionaire also added: “I see it reported all the time that somehow I was involved in this” but clarified that “I had nothing to do with that.” Bezos said that it’s “just not correct” to say that buying the film was a way of currying favour with the administration but “I can see why people say this.” The film, directed by Brett Ratner who has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, was released without being screened for press in January. It made $16.7m worldwide, failing to recoup its budget. “By the way, it appears it was a good business decision,” Bezos said. “It did very well in theaters. It’s done very well on streaming. People are very curious about Melania. …