Fox News reportedly fired longtime anchor Maria Bartiromo after she leaked internal editorial guidance to the White House. The move has effectively undercut the network’s efforts to limit coverage of Donald Trump’s election conspiracy claims.
Bartiromo was let go from Fox on Thursday after 12 and a half years at the network. The company offered no public explanation, releasing only a brief statement: “We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 and a half years and wish her all the best on her next chapter.”
Fox News reportedly fired Maria Bartiromo after she shared internal guidance with the White House
According to Status, the real story behind Bartiromo’s exit traces back to July, following a primetime address in which Trump claimed China had interfered in the 2020 presidential election. Fox News had reportedly sent written instructions to senior staff, directing them to avoid amplifying Trump’s unsubstantiated claims on air, guidance the network largely followed despite the White House’s surprise at the lack of coverage.
Donald Trump or a White House official reportedly later questioned Maria Bartiromo about why his claims weren’t getting airtime. In response, she reportedly disclosed that Fox executives had explicitly ordered the claims not to be covered, and went a step further by sharing the actual text message containing the network’s internal guidance with the White House. That disclosure, according to the report, violated the terms of her employment agreement with Fox.
Since the announcement, Bartiromo’s footprint at Fox has been quickly erased. Fox Business Network has already removed her contributor page, and her signature programs are being rebranded.
“Mornings with Maria” will become “Mornings with Fox Business,” while “Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street” will be renamed “FBN’s Wall Street,” hosted by Cheryl Casone and various other anchors who will be rotated. Jason Chaffetz will take over her Sunday program this weekend, with a permanent replacement expected to be named later.
