CNN Exposes ‘Exorbitant’ Demand It Received From Melania Trump’s Book Publisher

CNN says it requested an interview with Melania Trump through her book publisher and was told it would cost the network $250,000.

“Nearly two months ago, CNN reached out to Melania Trump’s book publisher to request an interview with the former first lady ahead of her upcoming memoir. After several exchanges about a possible interview, the publisher sent an unusual demand last week: an interview would cost $250,000,” CNN reported in an article about the incident published Thursday.

According to CNN, Skyhorse Publishing emailed the network a nondisclosure agreement that detailed its terms for an interview, including use of material from the book. It stated that CNN would have to pay a “licensing fee” of $250,000.

CNN said one of its journalists subsequently contacted Skyhorse to ask about the “exorbitant” interview fee, and the publisher responded saying it had sent the payment request by mistake.

Tony Lyons, Skyhorse’s president and publisher, told CNN in a statement that “neither Melania nor anyone from her team knew anything about the NDA and the document that was sent reflected an internal miscommunication.”

“Had CNN signed an NDA, in the normal course of business, we would have approached Melania’s team to discuss [specifics of the interview],” the statement said.

It is generally considered unethical for news outlets to pay for interviews.

Skyhorse Publishing did not immediately return HuffPost’s request for further comment. CNN said Melania Trump’s spokesperson declined its request for comment.

Melania Trump, who is known to dislike the media and rarely speaks to the press, has been interviewed on Fox News twice in as many weeks as she promotes her memoir, “Melania,” which comes out Oct. 8.

A Fox News spokesperson told HuffPost the network “did not pay any fee whatsoever for the interviews conducted, including licensing fees for photos.”