Fox News Abruptly Parts Ways with Maria Bartiromo After 12.5 Years

Key points

• Fox News Media announced on Thursday that Maria Bartiromo is no longer with the company, citing 12.5 years of service but offering no reason for her departure.
• Bartiromo’s final episode of 'Mornings with Maria' aired Thursday morning; the slot will now be filled by rotating anchors under the title 'Mornings with Fox Business.'
• Her Sunday show, 'Sunday Morning Futures,' will be hosted by Jason Chaffetz this week, with a permanent replacement to be named later.
• Bartiromo had not appeared on Fox airwaves since August 9, 2026, raising questions about the timing of her exit.
• The departure has fueled speculation that she may replace Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, a theory Vice President JD Vance explicitly denied.

Background

Bartiromo joined Fox News in 2014 after a two-decade tenure at CNBC, where she became the first anchor to report live from the New York Stock Exchange floor. Her ratings surged after she began interviewing President Donald Trump ahead of the 2016 election. In recent years, she faced criticism for coverage that many observers deemed overly favorable to the Trump administration, including instances where she amplified election fraud conspiracy theories. This follows a pattern of sudden departures at Fox News, such as the 2023 exit of Tucker Carlson and the 2026 departure of meteorologist Janice Dean, who cited network censorship.

How outlets are covering it

HuffPost and Mediaite emphasize the abrupt nature of the departure and Bartiromo’s controversial coverage of Trump, noting her role in amplifying baseless election fraud claims that contributed to Fox’s $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems. Deadline highlights the lack of a stated reason, drawing a parallel to the sudden firing of Tucker Carlson in 2023, and notes that sources indicate she is not moving to another network or immediately taking a White House role. The New York Post focuses on the immediate programming changes and includes a direct quote from Vice President JD Vance, who dismissed the idea that Bartiromo is becoming the next press secretary, calling her a 'dear friend' but stating he did not believe she was headed to the White House. All outlets agree on the factual details of the departure and the replacement of her shows, but differ in their emphasis on the political implications and the reasons behind the exit.

Why it matters

The departure of a high-profile anchor like Maria Bartiromo signals potential shifts in Fox News' editorial direction and its relationship with the Trump administration. Her exit, without a clear reason, mirrors previous sudden firings at the network, suggesting possible internal tensions or strategic repositioning. The speculation about a White House role, despite being denied by Vance, underscores the close ties between Fox personalities and the administration, raising questions about the separation of media and politics in the current political landscape.

What to watch

Fox Business is expected to unveil a new weekday programming schedule in the coming weeks. The network will need to name a permanent host for 'Sunday Morning Futures' after Jason Chaffetz's temporary stint. Bartiromo's next career move remains uncertain, with no immediate announcements from her or her representatives. The network may also face scrutiny over the reasons for her departure, particularly given her controversial coverage of the 2020 election and her close relationship with President Trump.