Fox News Media Terminates Maria Bartiromo's 12-Year Tenure Without Explanation
Fox News Media has ended its relationship with veteran journalist Maria Bartiromo effective September 3, 2026. The departure, which occurred after 12.5 years, was announced without a stated reason. Her flagship programs, 'Mornings with Maria' and 'Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street,' have been rebranded and are now hosted by rotating anchors. The sudden exit mirrors the abrupt departure of Tucker Carlson in 2023 and has sparked speculation regarding potential White House roles, though no official confirmation exists.
Key points
- Fox News Media announced the immediate departure of Maria Bartiromo on September 3, 2026, citing no specific reason for the split.
- Bartiromo’s final appearance on Fox Business Network was on August 9, 2026, though the official announcement came weeks later.
- Her daily show 'Mornings with Maria' has been renamed 'Mornings with Fox Business' and will feature rotating anchors.
- Her weekly program 'Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street' has been rebranded as 'FBN’s Wall Street,' also transitioning to rotating hosts.
- Jason Chaffetz is temporarily hosting 'Sunday Morning Futures' on Fox News Channel, with a permanent replacement to be announced.
- Bartiromo had been with Fox since 2014, previously spending 20 years at CNBC where she pioneered live floor reporting from the New York Stock Exchange.
Background
Maria Bartiromo is a prominent financial journalist known for her transition from CNBC to Fox News in 2014. She gained national attention for her coverage of the 2007-2008 financial crisis and her later alignment with conservative politics. Her tenure at Fox was marked by frequent interviews with President Donald Trump, whom she has described as a 'great reporter' and close friend. In 2021, her commentary was cited in the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit against Fox News, which was settled in 2023 for $787 million. Bartiromo had previously denied lobbying for aggressive investigations into voter fraud claims, stating she was performing her journalistic duties. Her departure follows a pattern of significant, unexplained personnel changes at Fox News, including the exits of Tucker Carlson and Bill O’Reilly.
How outlets are covering it
The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline emphasize the sudden and unexplained nature of the departure, drawing direct parallels to the 2023 exit of Tucker Carlson. Both outlets note that Bartiromo had not appeared on air since August 9, suggesting the split may have been in progress for weeks. CNBC highlights the lack of immediate reaction from Bartiromo and notes that Vice President JD Vance, while praising her, claimed ignorance of the 'back story.' NBC News focuses on her historical significance as a trailblazer for women in financial media and her shift toward conservative reporting after leaving CNBC. Deadline suggests that the timing coincides with the first White House press briefing since Karoline Leavitt’s departure, fueling speculation about a potential government role, though sources indicate this is not yet confirmed. All sources agree that no official reason was provided by Fox News Media.
Why it matters
The departure of Maria Bartiromo signals a significant shift in Fox News Media’s on-air lineup, particularly in its business and financial coverage. As a high-profile anchor with close ties to the Trump administration, her exit may impact the network’s political and economic reporting strategy. The lack of a stated reason raises questions about internal dynamics at Fox and the potential for further personnel changes. Additionally, the speculation surrounding a possible White House role could influence the administration’s media relations and public messaging. For the media industry, this event underscores the volatility of high-profile talent in cable news and the impact of political affiliations on career trajectories.
What to watch
Fox Business Network is expected to announce a new weekday programming schedule in the coming weeks. A permanent host for 'Sunday Morning Futures' will be named after Jason Chaffetz’s temporary tenure. The network will likely continue to rebrand and restructure its business news coverage to fill the void left by Bartiromo. Speculation about Bartiromo’s next career move, including potential White House roles, will likely persist until she or the administration provides official confirmation. The network may also face scrutiny regarding the reasons for her departure, given her past involvement in the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit and her close relationship with President Trump.
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