Brett Ratner, the filmmaker behind the upcoming Melania Trump documentary, is once again facing intense scrutiny—this time after his name surfaced in newly released files connected to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The timing couldn’t be worse, as Ratner prepares for the high-profile release of his $40 million documentary centered on the former First Lady.
Ratner’s name appeared in documents made public in December 2025 as part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing review of Epstein-related materials. The files include a photograph showing Ratner alongside French modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, a longtime Epstein associate who died by suicide in a French prison in 2022 while awaiting trial on rape charges. The undated image shows Ratner posing closely with Brunel, a visual that quickly reignited controversy online.
Authorities have stressed that being named or pictured in the Epstein files does not automatically indicate criminal wrongdoing. Inclusion typically reflects social or professional proximity to Epstein’s network rather than evidence of illegal activity. Still, the association has raised eyebrows, particularly given Ratner’s already complicated history.
Ratner, 56, rose to prominence in Hollywood after directing music videos for major artists before breaking into film with Money Talks in the late 1990s. He went on to direct major box office hits including the Rush Hour franchise and X-Men: The Last Stand, later co-founding RatPac Entertainment, a production company behind numerous successful films.
His career stalled dramatically in 2017 when multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct during the height of the #MeToo movement. Actresses including Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge alleged inappropriate and coercive behavior spanning decades, accusations Ratner has repeatedly denied. Another accuser, former talent agency employee Melanie Kohler, claimed he raped her—an allegation Ratner called false and malicious. Although no criminal charges were filed, the fallout was swift, with major studios cutting ties and Ratner retreating from the public eye.
The Melania documentary marks his return to filmmaking after years of relative silence. The film reportedly offers an intimate look at Melania Trump during the final weeks leading up to Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration in January 2025 and is scheduled to premiere on Amazon Studios on January 30.
With Ratner’s name now linked—however indirectly—to Epstein’s circle, renewed attention has been drawn to his past, adding another layer of controversy to a project already guaranteed to spark debate. As Hollywood, politics, and scandal collide once again, the documentary’s release is unfolding under a far harsher spotlight than originally anticipated.
