Bartiromo’s lawyer rejects firing narrative as Fox News maintains silence on departure

Key points

• Bartiromo’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, stated that reports of her termination are false and that she remains a Fox employee.
• Fox News Media announced on Thursday that it had parted ways with Bartiromo, thanking her for 12.5 years of service without citing a reason.
• Unverified reports from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal suggested Bartiromo was dismissed for sharing internal Fox guidance on Trump’s election claims with the White House.
• Fox News removed Bartiromo’s bio and show pages from its website immediately after the announcement, replacing her programming with rotating anchors.
• Bartiromo’s lawyer threatened legal action, claiming to have 'receipts and witnesses' to support her continued employment status.
• Fox News declined to comment on the denial, stating its initial press release 'speaks for itself.'

Background

Maria Bartiromo joined Fox News in 2014 after a 21-year career at CNBC. She hosted 'Mornings with Maria' and 'Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street' on Fox Business, as well as 'Sunday Morning Futures' on Fox News. Her departure follows a period of heightened scrutiny regarding her coverage of President Trump and the 2020 election. Bartiromo was named as a co-defendant in a defamation lawsuit by Smartmatic USA, which remains ongoing. She was also cited in the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit, which Fox News settled in 2023 for $787.5 million. Bartiromo has been off the air since August 9, 2026.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and CNBC reported the denial from Bartiromo’s attorney, emphasizing the threat of legal action and the lack of official explanation from Fox. CNN framed the event as an 'abrupt ousting' of a 'longtime Trump ally,' highlighting the political implications of her departure. The Status media newsletter, cited by NBC News, reported that Bartiromo was fired for sharing internal Fox management guidance on Trump’s election claims with the White House. The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal also reported on the alleged leak, though NBC News noted it had not verified these claims. Fox News maintained a neutral stance, refusing to comment on the denial and stating its initial press release 'speaks for itself.'

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the tension between Fox News and one of its most prominent anchors, raising questions about the network’s internal policies and its relationship with the Trump administration. The legal threats from Bartiromo’s attorney suggest a potential protracted legal battle over her employment status. The incident also underscores the ongoing scrutiny of Fox News’ coverage of the 2020 election and its legal liabilities related to the Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic USA lawsuits.

What to watch

Bartiromo’s attorney has threatened to release 'receipts and witnesses' through legal channels if the firing narrative persists. Fox News has not indicated whether it will provide further details on the separation. The Smartmatic USA defamation lawsuit, in which Bartiromo is a co-defendant, remains ongoing. Fox News has replaced Bartiromo’s shows with rotating anchors, and her bio and show pages have been removed from its website.