Peter Doocy Compares Trump’s Accessibility to Biden’s Hidden Approach in White House Press Coverage

Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy offered a behind-the-scenes look at how press access and presidential engagement have drastically shifted under President Donald Trump’s second term, compared to the Biden administration. In a candid interview with Sean Hannity on Hannity, Doocy described the contrast as “night and day” — emphasizing Trump’s openness and hands-on leadership style versus what he characterized as Biden’s distant and staff-driven approach.

Doocy, who has covered the White House under both administrations, recounted his experiences trying to engage with both presidents. He made clear that with Trump, media access is not only frequent but often extensive.

“You know, it’s interesting because I watch these gaggles, I see you in the White House — I see you in the Oval Office often,” Hannity said during the segment. “You don’t just get one question; you get multiple questions almost on a daily basis. Explain to this audience the difference between the Biden years and Donald Trump’s second term.”

Doocy replied, “The biggest difference is that during the Biden years, we had to spend the entire day crafting just one short, sharp question — something sensational just to get his attention. And even then, at best, we’d get a yes or no. Often, we’d just hear him laugh before aides quickly moved us out of the room.”

“With Trump,” he continued, “it’s the complete opposite. Just yesterday, I was able to go through nearly two full pages of questions and follow-ups. That included asking him, jokingly, how he felt about being declared dead on social media. He was very much alive, and he answered it with his usual humor.”

Doocy noted that Trump’s frequent media appearances and willingness to answer tough questions marks a return to a more traditional model of presidential visibility — something that had diminished in the previous administration.

A President Who Leads from the Front

According to Doocy, the dynamic between the president and his staff has also completely reversed under Trump.

“During Biden’s time, it was understood that the staff ran the day-to-day operations. They’d consult with the president when needed for final decisions,” Doocy explained. “But with Trump, it’s very clear: the staff waits for his direction. Everything starts with him — the messaging, the policy, the strategy.”

This shift has also changed how the media engages with the White House. Under Biden, Doocy said, reporters rarely had meaningful access to the president himself, relying instead on prepared remarks from press secretaries like Karine Jean-Pierre.

“There was a lot of frustration among the press corps,” Doocy noted. “We’d go long periods without seeing him. At best, we’d get a quick moment during a staged photo op, and then we’d be rushed out. It was hard to hold him accountable when we rarely saw or heard from him directly.”

Behind the Scenes: Questions About Biden’s Cognitive State

Hannity, known for his blunt commentary, pressed Doocy on whether reporters — even those from other networks — acknowledged President Biden’s visible cognitive decline.

“Did they admit privately that Biden was being kept away from the press because of concerns about his mental state?” Hannity asked.

Doocy was cautious in his response but acknowledged that the president’s limited visibility created concern.

“I wouldn’t say that anyone from other networks ever directly said they believed he was cognitively impaired,” Doocy replied. “But there was definitely a sense of frustration. We weren’t seeing him regularly. The lack of access raised questions.”

Hannity followed up: “So, you’re saying they didn’t see what many Americans have been noticing since 2019 — a man who appeared to be in cognitive decline?”

Doocy responded, “The record speaks for itself. We didn’t see much of him. His staff were the face of the administration. They crafted the messages, held the briefings, and made the public statements.”

He contrasted that again with Trump’s approach: “This time around, Trump sets the tone. His staff listens to him and then builds messaging and policy around what he says. It’s a top-down model. The president is visibly at the helm.”

A New Media Era?

The conversation between Hannity and Doocy touched on broader concerns about transparency, media access, and how leadership styles impact public trust.

As Trump continues his second term, Doocy says it’s clear that the media’s role — and ability — to question the president directly has returned in a way not seen in recent years.

“For reporters like me, it’s a completely different environment,” Doocy concluded. “The president is always available, always engaged, and always driving the narrative. That’s a big shift — and it matters.”

In an era where communication is constant and scrutiny is high, the contrast between these two presidential styles may shape not just press coverage, but public perception for years to come.