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 network said it did not agree to the "unusual" payment request, which the publisher said was sent in error.

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