17:I[66739,["/_next/static/chunks/0.3dg.jzl0xwf.js?dpl=dpl_ADavNnop8X1LgnurSAwpmKs3ySqi","/_next/static/chunks/05hx6kuf6-oy4.js?dpl=dpl_ADavNnop8X1LgnurSAwpmKs3ySqi","/_next/static/chunks/0e~mn1op2jzz5.js?dpl=dpl_ADavNnop8X1LgnurSAwpmKs3ySqi","/_next/static/chunks/0juapqyy99ga..js?dpl=dpl_ADavNnop8X1LgnurSAwpmKs3ySqi","/_next/static/chunks/09-r7sdqv1jf4.js?dpl=dpl_ADavNnop8X1LgnurSAwpmKs3ySqi","/_next/static/chunks/06dn~uer6.43l.js?dpl=dpl_ADavNnop8X1LgnurSAwpmKs3ySqi"],"default"] 19:I[38632,["/_next/static/chunks/0qqtp3r0h7kah.js?dpl=dpl_ADavNnop8X1LgnurSAwpmKs3ySqi","/_next/static/chunks/0iukvycbd42rl.js?dpl=dpl_ADavNnop8X1LgnurSAwpmKs3ySqi"],"IconMark"] 18:T4db,

Amazon’s documentary “Melania” has been panned by many as a $40 million piece of propaganda. But who, exactly, is it meant to persuade? The culture editor Nadja Spiegelman and the Opinion columnists Maureen Dowd and Carlos Lozada break down what the film is trying to say and what it reveals about the first lady’s life and inner world. “She wanted to look gorgeous in every frame and not reveal anything,” Dowd says. “And that’s what happened.”

Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@nytimes.com.

This episode of “The Opinions” was produced by Derek Arthur. It was edited by Kaari Pitkin and Jillian Weinberger. Mixing by Sonia Herrero and Efim Shapiro. Video editing by Tony Palmerio. The postproduction manager is Mike Puretz. Original music by Pat McCusker. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta and Kristina Samulewski. The director of Opinion Video is Jonah M. Kessel. The deputy director of Opinion Shows is Alison Bruzek. The director of Opinion Shows is Annie-Rose Strasser.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Maureen Dowd and Carlos Lozada on the Empty Propaganda of ‘Melania’

The Opinions

Maureen Dowd and Carlos Lozada on the Empty Propaganda of ‘Melania’