What we know about Maria Bartiromo’s abrupt exit from Fox News

What we know regarding Maria Bartiromo's abrupt exit from Fox News.

Key points

• Contributing: Edward Segarra, Kalia Richardson and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY; Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, The Journal News.
• Bartiromo opened up regarding her relationship with President Trump in a 2019 interview with The Journal News, part of the USA TODAY Network.
• After President Trump's primetime speech in July, Fox News reportedly instructed senior employees to avoid coverage of the president's comments on the 2020 U.S.
• President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance both weighed in on Bartiromo's abrupt departure from Fox News in statements to the media on Sept.
• Bartiromo joined Fox Business to cover Wall Street in 2014 after two decades at CNBC.

What we know regarding Maria Bartiromo's abrupt exit from Fox News. Liza Esquibias USA TODAY. Maria Bartiromo exits Fox News after 12 year run.

Maria Bartiromo leaves Fox News, ending a high profile run and prompting major changes throughout Fox Business programming.

Maria Bartiromo's abrupt departure from Fox News Media is raising questions regarding what led to the shocking move.

Fox News Media confirmed they were cutting ties with the prominent anchor effective immediately in a Sept. 3 press release. Bartiromo, who was with the network for over a decade, had not appeared on any of her three demonstrates since Aug. 9.

"We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 ½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter, " the brief statement remarked, offering no further explanation. Here is what we know regarding her departure. Why did Maria Bartiromo leave Fox News? Her attorney breaks silence. Who is taking over Maria Bartiromo's role?

Meanwhile, the press release stated the final episode of Bartiromo's three-hour weekday show "Mornings with Maria" had aired that morning on Fox Business Network and would be renamed "Mornings with FOX Business" beginning Sept. 4, and would be hosted by rotating anchors.

Additionally, the release remarked the weekly program "Maria Bartiromo's Wall Street" was shifting to "FBN's Wall Street" with rotating anchors, and former Republican congressman Jason Chaffetz would be stepping in to host Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures" until a new host was identified.

Fox Business additionally disclosed intends to introduce a new weekday programming schedule in coming weeks. Why did Maria Bartiromo leave Fox?

Bartiromo joined Fox Business to cover Wall Street in 2014 after two decades at CNBC. She became known for being the first woman to report from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and for her staunch backing of the Trump administration.

While President Donald Trump and his associates have praised Bartiromo, with Trump even appointing her to the board of the Kennedy Center last year, she has been engulfed in legal trouble for Fox over recent years.

In 2021, voting machine firm Dominion Voting rolled out a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, naming Bartiromo as one of the anchors who spread "stolen election" falsehoods regarding the 2020 presidential election. The matter was afterwards settled for $787.5 million.

Shortly after the settlement in 2023, top-rated Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson separated from the network. He had been hired in 2016 to replace Bill O'Reilly. This person was fired after settling a sexual harassment investigation.

Bartiromo's exit comes against the backdrop of the White House's search for a new press secretary, leading to speculation that may be her next role. Nevertheless, Vice President JD Vance dismissed the idea at a Sept. 3 press briefing.

"I don't know, man, " Vance remarked, laughing at a question concerning whether Bartiromo is going to be the next press secretary. "No, I don't think so." Maria Bartiromo attorney pushes back on firing rumors.

Bryan Freedman, an attorney for Bartiromo, pushed back against recent media coverage that suggested the broadcast journalist was fired from Fox News.

"The irresponsible reports that have been published stating that Maria Bartiromo was fired or is no longer an employee of Fox are absolutely and unequivocally false, " Freedman remarked in an official note to USA TODAY.

"Make no mistake, we have the receipts and witnesses, and they will come out whether through the courthouse or otherwise, " Freedman continued. "Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth." Maria Bartiromo's exit follows Fox's apology for comments on her show.

In June, Fox News issued an apology that Bartiromo had to read on air addressing comments created by entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary. This person stated the Chinese administration was funding opponents of his Utah data center during an appearance on Bartiromo's program.

Fox News and the "Shark Tank" investor are now facing a defamation lawsuit from two Utah nonprofits and their founders over the comments. Maria Bartiromo allegedly fired over White House leak, report notes.

While the reason for Bartiromo's Fox News exit has not been shared, a new report alleges the ouster stemmed from an incident involving a leak to the White House.

After President Trump's primetime speech in July, Fox News reportedly instructed senior employees to avoid coverage of the president's comments on the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, according to Status. Nevertheless, Bartiromo afterwards allegedly informed the White House that Trump's speech received minimal coverage due to the news network's mandate, per the outlet.

In practice, a Fox News spokesperson informed Status that Bartiromo's departure was a "business decision" but did not address the alleged White House leak. Bartiromo declined to speak on the purported incident when reached for comment. Donald Trump and JD Vance address Maria Bartiromo Fox exit.

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance both weighed in on Bartiromo's abrupt departure from Fox News in statements to the media on Sept. 3.

"I can't believe Maria Bartiromo is no longer going to have her great show(s) on Fox News/Business, " Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Three different demonstrates, always No. 1. Maria is a total professional and a true warrior. Her fans, of which there are plenty of, will not be happy. God bless you, Maria!"

After Karoline Leavitt's August departure, vance was asked regarding Bartiromo's ouster during a press briefing at the White House, including speculation that the Fox News anchor's exit was due to Bartiromo being hired as the new White House press secretary.

"No, I don't think so, " remarked Vance of the hiring rumor. "I just saw the news literally as I walked out the door. I love Maria. I think she's an amazing person, an amazing talent. I don't obtain involved in the personal drama of media stations." Maria Bartiromo negotiations Donald Trump relationship, working at White House.

"I can only speculate that the president knows that I get to business and don't focus on the things that are not important to the American people, " remarked Bartiromo of her frequent interviews with Trump. "From my standpoint, I focus on policy, not personality. And I think much of the media focuses on his personality."

Meanwhile, the journalist continued that she pushes back on the president "when I need to" but that she wasn't interested in politically charged criticism of the president. "I'm not going to join these groups of people who hate him and have their ideologies leading their journalism, " she remarked.

Despite their friendly rapport, Bartiromo remarked she didn't see herself taking a job in the Trump administration any time shortly.

"No, I am not interested in leaving this industry, " Bartiromo remarked. "I love journalism, and that is my priority. I plan to continue seeking the truth and being a journalist."

Contributing: Edward Segarra, Kalia Richardson and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY; Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, The Journal News. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around what we know about Maria Bartiromos abrupt exit from Fox News point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.