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Melania Trump’s Memoir Sparks Controversy Over Interview Fees

In an intriguing turn of events, CNN recently reached out to Skyhorse Publishing to request an interview with Melania Trump regarding her forthcoming memoir, set for release on October 8. However, the response from the publisher raised eyebrows across the media landscape.

Skyhorse Publishing’s initial demand was for CNN to pay a hefty licensing fee of $250,000. Additionally, the network was asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) concerning the payment, a request that CNN ultimately declined.

Following CNN’s refusal to comply, Skyhorse clarified that the fee was a result of “internal miscommunication.” Tony Lyons, the president of the publishing company, emphasized that neither Melania Trump nor her team had any prior knowledge of the NDA. He stated, “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 proposed NDA included significantly strict terms, stipulating that every CNN employee involved in the interview would need to sign the agreement. Moreover, any breaches of this contract would incur a penalty of $100,000. The NDA specified that the fee covered not only the interview itself but also the licensing of photographs and excerpts from the memoir.

Traditionally, news organizations have policies against compensating individuals for interviews, making such demands from a former first lady particularly atypical. Anita McBride, who directs The Legacies of America’s First Ladies Initiative at American University and served as a special assistant during the George W. Bush administration, noted that while first ladies may be compensated for writing their memoirs, they have not been paid to participate in interviews.

McBride pointed out that Melania Trump appears to operate on her own terms, stating, “It is a consistent practice with Mrs. Trump to make the choices that work for her and to be unburdened by any past practice by anyone else. She is her own enterprise when it comes to everything in her life. That’s the premise of her book. I’ve made my choices and not constricted by anyone else before her.”

Unconventional Promotional Tactics

In addition to the controversial interview fee, the promotional material released for Trump’s memoir has also attracted attention. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper expressed his astonishment at a particular promotional image that features a shadowed portrayal of Trump. Upon seeing the image, Cooper remarked, “I’m sorry, it’s the first time I’ve seen that, that’s the weirdest promo I’ve ever seen. Like the lighting,” before breaking into a surprised expression. “I’m sorry, I’ve written four books. I’ve never seen a promo like that.”

The combination of the exorbitant interview fee request and the unconventional marketing strategies has led to widespread speculation regarding Melania Trump’s approach to her public persona and her memoir. Observers are left to wonder how these elements will play into the public’s reception of the book and her story.

Source
www.thewrap.com