Fox News reporter 'fact-checks' Trump live on Hannity: 'Not true'

Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy fact-checked President Donald Trump during his appearance on Sean Hannity's show, refuting the president's claim about the upcoming midterm elections.

"We have to fact-check the president here, Sean," Doocy said during the segment, continuing: "Because he was telling us for weeks that he did not care about the midterms — Iran was too important. We know that is not true because he is the surrogate for Republicans. He's out almost every night."

Doocy spoke about Trump's extensive campaign schedule, including a planned Friday appearance in New York to back Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman and other GOP candidates facing tough races, adding that they are “having a hard time right now.”

This comes after The Atlantic reported that the White House had directed the Pentagon to prepare options for potential military strikes against Iran before the November 3 elections.

The report cited two officials from the administration who said that a final decision had not yet been made on launching attacks. On Thursday, Trump denied the report and stated on Truth Social that the United States would not carry out an attack on Iran before the midterms.

"We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote, while maintaining that the blockade against the country would continue.

Doocy admitted that it was still unclear how seriously Trump had considered the military options or whether his statement was based on concerns regarding the upcoming elections.

"We don't know if that is a head fake to get the Iranians on their heels or if it is an acknowledgment that this war is causing a lot of problems for Republicans," Doocy said.

He then described how the war is causing problems for GOP candidates running in districts where voters are struggling with high prices, also pointing out that the cost of living is being “exacerbated by the war.”

He also said that the administration was making an effort to show progress in the area of affordability as Americans started to cast their early votes. Yet Doocy was doubtful as to whether the White House could settle the Iran issue before Election Day.

"It doesn't seem like there's gonna be a deal, and it doesn't seem like there's gonna be an annihilation before November 3," Doocy said.

Hannity, a longtime Trump supporter, replied that the president might be intentionally keeping his military intentions vague.

"Could it be a head fake? Nothing would surprise me with this president," Hannity said, adding: "He's unpredictable, especially on that issue."

Republicans are battling increasing voter discontent regarding the Iran war and its economic effects, especially the rise in petrol prices, near the time of the elections.