In a surprising turn of events, CNN has revealed that Melania Trump, the former first lady, requested a hefty $250,000 for an interview ahead of the release of her memoir, “Melania,” set to publish on October 8. The request, communicated through her publisher, Skyhorse Publishing, has raised eyebrows in the media landscape, with experts noting that such demands are unprecedented for a former first lady.
Nearly two months ago, CNN reached out to Skyhorse to arrange an interview, only to receive an unusual response last week. An email included a “Confidentiality and Nondisclosure Agreement” outlining strict terms for the interview, alongside the hefty fee. CNN did not sign the agreement.
In a follow-up inquiry regarding the substantial fee, Skyhorse Publishing claimed the demand was sent in error. Tony Lyons, the president of the publishing house, stated, “Neither Neither Melania nor anyone from her team knew anything about the NDA, and the document that was sent reflected an internal miscommunication.” He added that had CNN signed the NDA, they would have engaged further with Melania’s team to discuss the specifics of the interview.
Typically, media outlets have strict guidelines against paying public figures for interviews, especially when it involves the spouse of a political candidate. This request, particularly given its high price tag, has sparked conversations about the Trump family role in the media landscape.
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The financial request aligns with Melania’s previous speaking engagements, as records show she was compensated $237,500 for a speech at a Log Cabin Republicans event in April, one of three payments for $250,000 or more that she received for speaking that month as disclosed by former President Donald Trump’s latest financial filings. Additionally, she received $250,000 for a similar event in December 2022.
Mrs. Trump’s NDA specified that any CNN employees involved in the interview would need to sign the agreement, with a breach carrying penalties of $100,000. The document also outlined that the payment would cover not only the interview itself but also licensing for photos and excerpts from her memoir.
“This is totally unprecedented. No former first lady has ever done that,” commented Kate Anderson Brower, author of “First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies.”
Anita McBride, director of The Legacies of America’s First Ladies Initiative at American University, added that while former first ladies have traditionally received significant fees for book deals, requesting payment for a news interview is highly unusual.
“Melania Trump’s approach reflects her desire to navigate her own path without being constrained by past practices,” McBride noted.
So far, Melania has only participated in interviews with Fox News, including a recent exclusive with Ainsley Earhardt, which was her first sit-down in two years. This lack of broader media engagement further highlights the unusual nature of the payment request.
As political spouses are often viewed as part of a unified entity with their candidates, this situation raises questions about the financial dynamics within the Trump household, especially considering their reported prenuptial agreement.
“It’s super suspect that a political figure’s spouse would want to be paid for something like this,” McBride concluded, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the request amidst an already unconventional media rollout.
