Does the media really want Donald Trump to be re-elected?

Lots of readers dislike the president but does he help pay for the ‘fake news media’, asks Andrew Buncombe

Lots of media outlets have seen subscriptions leap during Donald Trump's presidency (AFP/Getty)

It was back during the last election cycle when Les Moonves, then the chair of CBS News, drew back the veil.

In February 2016, when Donald Trump’s loud and caustic, headline- grabbing presence in the Republican primary was still something of a novelty, he let slip something other media bosses realised, but did not say out loud.

“It may not be good for America, but it's damn good for CBS,” he said, acknowledging the flood of advertisement money the race had sparked.