The documentary about Melania Trump was released at the end of January, drawing considerable attention given its controversial nature. However, an unexpected side effect emerged following its launch; viewership for Michelle Obama's documentary 'Becoming' surged dramatically. Reports indicate that since the debut of the Melania documentary, Michelle Obama’s documentary saw an astonishing increase in views by 13,300%, according to statistics from the data analytics firm Luminate.

During the opening weekend of the Melania documentary from January 30 to February 1, Michelle Obama's 'Becoming' was watched for a staggering 47.5 million minutes on Netflix, a sharp increase compared to just 354,000 minutes viewed in the weekend prior to the Melania release. This immense rise in viewership has been interpreted as a reaction from Melania Trump’s critics who have utilized Netflix as a platform to express their anti-Trump sentiments and support for the Obama documentary, highlighting the divisive political climate.

The surge in viewership not only reflects audience engagement with the subject of the Obamas but also signifies a strategic use of media by the public to counter negative narratives associated with figures like Melania Trump. The documentary 'Becoming,' which chronicles the life and experiences of Michelle Obama, released in 2020, is now experiencing renewed interest as viewers choose to support the Obamas during a time of heightened political and cultural tensions.