Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonny Greenwood Demand Music Removal from Melania Trump Documentary
A dispute has erupted between acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson and Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and the filmmakers behind the recently released documentary, Melania. The pair are requesting the removal of their music from the film, citing a breach of their composer agreement. The controversy adds another layer of scrutiny to a project already facing questions regarding its box office performance and audience demographics.
The documentary, which chronicles the twenty days preceding Donald Trump’s second inauguration, garnered significant attention – and a reported $40 million from Amazon – despite a lukewarm critical reception. The First Lady’s memoir, released in 2024, reportedly inspired the film’s creation. A segment featuring music from Anderson and Greenwood’s 2017 collaboration, Phantom Thread, is at the center of the current conflict.
The Composer Agreement and the Dispute
According to a statement released by Anderson and Greenwood, Universal Music failed to secure their consent for the use of the Phantom Thread score in the Melania documentary. This, they argue, constitutes a direct violation of their composer agreement. “While Jonny Greenwood does not own the copyright in the score, Universal failed to consult Jonny on this third-party use which is a breach of his composer agreement,” the statement, initially published by Variety, explained. The pair have formally requested the music’s removal from the film.
This situation highlights the complexities of music licensing and the rights of artists to control how their work is used, particularly in politically charged contexts. The use of music in film can profoundly impact a viewer’s emotional response, and artists often carefully consider the associations their work might create. Could this case set a precedent for greater artist control over the use of their music in future documentaries?
Box Office Struggles and Audience Composition
The Melania documentary has faced significant headwinds since its release. Opening at Number 29 in the UK box office, it generated just under £33,000 in its first week, as reported by NME. Globally, the film has earned $9.5 million (£7 million) against a combined budget of $75 million (including production and marketing costs), according to The Independent.
Concerns have even been raised about the legitimacy of the reported box office numbers. The Daily Beast reported accusations of “fake ticket sales” intended to artificially inflate the film’s performance. Furthermore, audience data reveals a highly polarized viewership: 49 percent identified as Republicans, only 2 percent as Democrats, and a striking 72 percent were female, as NME previously reported. The film currently holds an eight percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Did You Know?: The $40 million Amazon paid for the streaming rights to Melania represents the highest amount ever paid for a documentary, exceeding previous records by a significant margin.
A Longstanding Creative Partnership
The collaboration between Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonny Greenwood extends nearly two decades. Greenwood has composed scores for several of Anderson’s critically acclaimed films, including 2012’s The Master, 2021’s Licorice Pizza, and 2025’s One Battle After Another.
One Battle After Another received a nomination for Best Original Score at the 2026 Golden Globes, ultimately losing to Ludwig Goransson’s work on Sinners, as reported by NME. This ongoing creative partnership underscores the importance of artistic integrity and the respect for composer agreements.
What does this dispute say about the increasing politicization of art and the challenges artists face when their work is used in ways they don’t endorse?
Frequently Asked Questions About the Melania Documentary Controversy
- What is the core issue in the dispute regarding the Melania documentary?
The dispute centers around the unauthorized use of music from Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread, scored by Jonny Greenwood, in the Melania documentary without the artists’ consent, which they claim is a breach of their composer agreement. - How much did Amazon pay for the streaming rights to the Melania documentary?
Amazon paid $40 million (£29.3 million) for the streaming rights, making it the highest amount ever paid for a documentary. - What has been the critical reception to the Melania documentary?
The documentary has received largely negative reviews, currently holding an eight percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. - What are the concerns surrounding the Melania documentary’s box office performance?
There have been accusations of “fake ticket sales” intended to artificially inflate the film’s box office numbers, raising questions about the legitimacy of its reported success. - How long have Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonny Greenwood been collaborating?
Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonny Greenwood have been collaborating for nearly two decades, with Greenwood composing scores for several of Anderson’s films.
Share this article with your network and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. What implications does this case have for the future of music licensing and artistic control?
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