‘Free Tickets + $50 for Melania Movie’: Craigslist Ad Offers Cash for Documentary, Says ‘Must Stay in Seats for Entire Movie’ – The Times of India

Despite US President Donald Trump’s claims that the new documentary about his wife “sold out quickly,” data from the film’s opening night screenings in Boston showed nearly empty theaters.There was also a clear attempt to gain an audience for the First Lady’s documentary, “Melania,” which chronicled her private life leading up to the 2025 inauguration.With early ticket sales appearing slow across the country, a Craigslist ad found by producer Nate Gilbert offering free tickets plus $50 to anyone willing to watch the film in Boston went viral, Axios reported.“Attend the MELANIA documentary at a Boston area theater on opening weekend (this weekend),” the Craigslist ad reads. “Free tickets + $50 per occupied seat.”“Have to stay in the seats for the entire movie.”

Netizens react about empty theaters

The discovery of the ad followed reports that Melania was not selling tickets on her own.“Not a single ticket was sold for Melania’s opening night at Boston’s largest theater,” Gilbert reported with screenshot evidence.Others checked their own local theaters and often found similar results, with no or only a few seats sold.The results appeared to be in line with CNN polling analyst Harry Enten’s predictions that Melania would earn between $1 million and $5 million. This was described as a significant loss for Amazon, which paid $40 million for the rights to the film.Gilbert’s findings launched a trend on X as people sought out available theater seats in their area. Retired Navy officer Travis Akers reported similar findings at a popular theater in the Jacksonville area.The film would also perform poorly internationally. Journalist Jack Quann found 13 sold seats in two theaters in Dublin.Tweet saying “As Melania Trump’s documentary #Melania is pulled from South Africa and there are reports of slow take-up in the UK, I have looked at Irish ticket sales so far. The two cinemas showing the documentary in Dublin have sold 13 tickets for the opening night on Friday”According to Canadian @WannaBeCritic88, nothing has been sold in Toronto’s largest theater so far.Tweet that read “Toronto’s biggest theater this Saturday for #Melania No one and I mean no one gives a fuck about her in Canada. Not a ticket sold yet. I hope this movie makes $7.”However, at least one New Yorker bought a ticket on Staten Island.