The 500k to Carly needs a little explaining. It is looking more and more likely that the Carly staffer is the one. Amanda Carpenters denial was a good one. At least she addressed the issue head on.
If she is found to be lying, the repercussions are basically nonexistent. So she can say what ever she wants to contradict all the embarrassing stuff that she has now erased from twitter. Cruz is in a little more delicate position. He needs to make statements that allow him to pivot to a different defense when more stuff starts coming out.
The Enquirer generally starts with a teaser which is very light on facts then trickles tidbits out over many issues. By dragging this into the public eye Ted has now assured that tomorrow's issue will be a big seller.
It seems likely that the next big development will be the attorney releasing the rest of the “D.C. Madam” phone list. Either that or the attorney will be found to have committed suicide by hanging himself or blowing up his own car.