Metro Los Angeles Relocates Buses with 'Melania' Movie Ads After Vandalism

The transportation authority said the buses remain in regular service, but the ads were moved to minimize potential further damage.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:23pm

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Metro Los Angeles has chosen to relocate advertising for First Lady Melania Trump's documentary after the posters were vandalized. The transportation authority said the buses remain in regular service, but the ads were moved to minimize potential further damage from the 'significant vandalism' seen at bus stops.

Why it matters

The vandalism of the 'Melania' movie ads on Los Angeles buses highlights the ongoing political divisions in the region, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a wide margin. The decision to relocate the ads demonstrates how transportation authorities must sometimes navigate sensitive political issues to maintain service and minimize disruptions.

The details

After seeing 'significant vandalism' of the 'Melania' movie ads at bus stops, Metro Los Angeles proactively reassigned some of the buses containing that advertising to other geographic areas to minimize potential further damage. The transportation authority said the buses remain in regular service, but the ads were moved to different locations.

  • The vandalism incidents occurred over the last couple of years.
  • The 'Melania' documentary is set to hit theaters on January 30, 2026.

The players

Metro Los Angeles

The public transportation authority for the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Melania Trump

The former First Lady of the United States, who is the subject of an upcoming documentary film.

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What they’re saying

“The buses remain in regular service. Our buses have unfortunately been subject to vandalism over the last couple of years. So, after seeing significant vandalism at city bus stops on advertising for the Melania movie, Metro proactively reassigned some [of] the buses containing that advertising to other geographic areas to minimize potential vandalism.”

— Metro Los Angeles (KTTV-TV)

What’s next

The 'Melania' documentary is scheduled to be released in theaters on January 30, 2026.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions in the Los Angeles area and the challenges transportation authorities face in navigating sensitive issues. While the vandalism is concerning, Metro Los Angeles took proactive steps to minimize further damage and disruptions to their regular bus service.