Maria Bartiromo is out at Fox News after 12 years. The network announced her immediate departure without providing a reason, sparking speculation about the circumstances.
Immediate Departure and Program Changes
Fox News Media announced Thursday that anchor Maria Bartiromo is no longer with the company, effective immediately. The termination follows more than 12 years at Fox News and Fox Business Network, where Bartiromo hosted multiple programs, including Mornings with Maria and Sunday Morning Futures.
Fox News Media issued a statement expressing gratitude for Bartiromo’s work and wishing her success in her next chapter, but provided no further details on the reasons for her departure. The network confirmed that Bartiromo’s daily program, Mornings with Maria, will be rebranded as Mornings with FOX Business and transition to a rotating anchor format starting Friday. Her weekend show, Sunday Morning Futures, will be hosted by Jason Chaffetz beginning this Sunday, with a permanent replacement to be named later.
Bartiromo’s last on-air appearance was on September 3, and she has not been featured on any Fox News Media programs since August 9. The abrupt nature of her departure has drawn attention, particularly given her prominence as a business anchor and her long-standing association with the network.
Career Background and Impact
Bartiromo joined Fox News in 2014 after a 20-year career at CNBC, where she became the first reporter permitted on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. At CNBC, she hosted Closing Bell and On the Money with Maria Bartiromo, earning the nickname Money Honey for her rapid-fire market reporting. Her transition to Fox Business marked a shift toward more overtly conservative commentary, contrasting with her earlier, largely apolitical financial reporting.
At Fox, Bartiromo expanded her programming to include broader economic and public policy discussions, with her shows frequently featuring guests aligned with conservative viewpoints. She became a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, with his administration officials and allies appearing regularly on her programs during both of his terms. Bartiromo’s programs were also cited as key drivers of ratings for Fox Business and Fox News Channel.
Legal and Professional Context
Bartiromo’s tenure at Fox coincided with the network’s legal challenges related to its coverage of the 2020 presidential election. Her shows, particularly Sunday Morning Futures, were cited in defamation lawsuits filed by Dominion Voting Systems, which alleged that Fox News knowingly broadcast false claims about Dominion rigging the election. The lawsuits referenced Bartiromo’s programs as examples of the network’s dissemination of election conspiracy theories. Fox News settled the Dominion lawsuit in 2023 for $787.5 million, just as the trial was set to begin.
A second defamation lawsuit, filed by another voting software company, also includes Bartiromo as a defendant. Until Thursday, she was the only individual defendant still employed by Fox News. The network has not addressed whether her departure is connected to these legal proceedings.
Network Response and Future Plans
Fox News Media has not provided additional context for Bartiromo’s termination, leaving industry observers to speculate about the reasons behind the decision. The network’s statement emphasized gratitude for her contributions while offering no further elaboration. Industry analysts note that Bartiromo’s departure follows a period of significant changes at Fox, including high-profile exits and legal settlements that have reshaped the network’s programming and editorial direction.
The rebranding of Mornings with Maria to Mornings with FOX Business signals a shift in the network’s approach to morning business programming. The new format, featuring rotating anchors, suggests an effort to diversify on-air voices while maintaining the network’s focus on financial news and conservative-leaning commentary.
Bartiromo has not publicly commented on her departure as of the time of this report.