When I first heard the story last month that Melania Trump was paid nearly $250,000 to appear at a Log Cabin Republican fundraiser — LGBTQ+ Republican group for those who don’t know and yes, I know what you’re thinking — I smelled a greedy grab.

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,

Melania Trump’s book publisher requested that CNN sign an NDA and pony up a $250,000 “licensing fee” for an interview with the former first lady about her new memoir, the network reported Thursday.