Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy offered a rare glimpse behind the curtain of presidential press access during an interview with Sean Hannity, contrasting the constant availability of former President Donald Trump in his second term with the often-guarded nature of the Biden White House.

Speaking on Hannity, Doocy described how covering Trump has meant longer hours, more questions, and a sense that the president himself — not his staff — is in charge of decisions. At the same time, he reflected on his experiences during President Joe Biden’s administration, when concerns about Biden’s health, stamina, and public presence were frequent points of discussion inside the press corps.

Trump’s Unfiltered Approach to the Press

Doocy began by recounting how much access reporters now have to Trump, especially in informal settings like Oval Office press gaggles. Unlike in Biden’s White House, where reporters might get one short question before being ushered out, Trump allows for lengthy exchanges and even jokes with the press.

“The biggest difference,” Doocy told Hannity, “is with Joe Biden in the Oval Office, you had to think all day about just one sensational question that was really short. At best you would get a yes or no answer, sometimes just him laughing as aides said, ‘Get out of the room.’ Whereas with President Trump, I can go through pages of questions and follow-ups.”

Doocy shared an example from the previous day when he had been able to ask Trump a series of questions — including a lighthearted one about rumors of Trump’s “death.” Trump, smiling, confirmed that he was “very much alive,” a moment that underscored his tendency to face questions directly rather than through filtered statements from staff.

For Doocy, the scene illustrates a return to a style of presidential press relations not seen in years. “We are back to taking the president literally,” he said.

Biden’s Limited Accessibility

The contrast with the Biden years could not be sharper, according to Doocy. Reporters often went days without seeing the president, and when Biden did appear, the encounters were tightly managed.

“There was an understanding then,” Doocy explained, “that staff was running the White House and President Biden just had to be reached for decisions at the last minute. That’s why there weren’t more questions — it wasn’t worth it when the staff was setting the agenda.”

Doocy also noted that White House aides often downplayed Biden’s absence from public view. “They would tell us that it was normal for a president to go days without being seen. But everyone in the press corps knew it was unusual, and it raised questions about his stamina and health.”

He recalled repeatedly pressing then-Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Biden’s whereabouts and whether his limited schedule reflected concerns about his physical or mental capacity. While those questions rarely received direct answers, they continued to fuel speculation.

A White House Run by Trump

Doocy emphasized that Trump’s White House operates very differently. Whereas Biden’s team often seemed to run interference, Trump’s aides now wait for him to set the tone.

“Everybody understands now that it works backwards,” Doocy said. “The staff waits for President Trump. If you don’t see him for a few days, it’s unusual but it doesn’t mean something is wrong. That’s how White Houses used to work.”

In other words, the president — not his staff — is the driving force. For reporters like Doocy, that has meant being prepared for frequent, unpredictable moments of access. “You don’t just get one question; you get multiple questions almost daily,” he explained.

The Biden Health Question

Underlying Doocy’s comments was the broader issue of presidential health — a theme that has followed Biden throughout his time in public office. During his presidency, Biden’s occasional verbal stumbles, long absences from press events, and limited public schedule fueled persistent speculation about his fitness for the role.

Doocy was often one of the most visible reporters pressing the White House on these issues. His questions sometimes drew pushback from Biden supporters, who accused him of badgering the administration. But to Doocy, the inquiries were fair game. “When the president of the United States is not regularly visible, it raises questions. That’s part of our job to ask,” he said.

Now, in Trump’s second term, the issue is viewed differently. While Trump’s health and age have also been debated in the past, Doocy argued that the former president demonstrates his stamina through constant engagement. “He’s working all the time, answering questions, and showing he’s in control. That’s what makes the difference,” he said.

Humor and Accessibility

Doocy also noted that Trump often uses humor to disarm critics and lighten tense moments. He referenced Trump joking on Fox & Friends that he hoped “to get into heaven someday,” a comment some interpreted too literally.

“These kinds of remarks are part of how he interacts,” Doocy said. “It doesn’t mean he’s going anywhere soon. It means he’s comfortable joking even when the cameras are rolling. That openness is what we missed in the last administration.”

For the press, such moments are invaluable because they give the public a more direct sense of the president’s personality. Doocy suggested that this kind of accessibility is essential for building transparency and trust — even if Trump’s relationship with the press has often been adversarial.

Hannity’s Perspective

Host Sean Hannity framed the conversation by asking Doocy to spell out the practical differences between covering Biden and Trump. Hannity, a longtime Trump ally, pointed to the “constant availability” reporters now have.

“You don’t just get one question,” Hannity said. “You get multiple, on a daily basis. That’s unheard of compared to the Biden years.”

Doocy agreed, reinforcing the idea that Trump’s style, for better or worse, means the press cannot ignore him. “When Trump’s in the Oval Office, you know you’ll have to be on your toes. You might get pages worth of questions answered. That simply didn’t happen before.”

Larger Implications for Media and Politics

The discussion also touches on a deeper theme: the evolving role of presidential media relations in shaping public perception. Biden’s limited accessibility fueled criticism that his administration was overly scripted and shielded him from scrutiny. Trump’s nonstop engagement, on the other hand, ensures he dominates headlines — even when critics disagree with his message.

For Doocy, the takeaway is simple. “The biggest difference between then and now is that the president is running the show again,” he said.

That reality may frustrate some reporters, who face longer hours and unpredictable schedules. But it also guarantees that the press — and by extension, the American public — has a front-row seat to the decision-making process.

Conclusion

Peter Doocy’s reflections on Hannity painted a vivid picture of two very different presidential styles. Biden’s White House was defined by limited access, scripted moments, and questions about health and stamina. Trump’s, by contrast, is marked by constant availability, humor, and an unfiltered approach that puts the president himself at the center of every interaction.

Whether one views that difference as refreshing transparency or overwhelming media dominance depends largely on political perspective. But for reporters like Doocy, the contrast is undeniable: Trump is always present, always working, and always willing to take questions — a sharp departure from the carefully managed press strategy of his predecessor.