Maria Bartiromo’s 12 1/2-year run at Fox News ended without an on-air farewell, raising questions about what led to the sudden split.
Fox immediately began reshaping the programs Bartiromo hosted, but offered no public reason for her departure. Reports about events inside the network later provided a possible explanation.
Bartiromo’s long tenure at Fox News Media came to an abrupt end on September 3, 2026, when the company announced that she was leaving effective immediately.
Fox kept its public explanation brief.
“We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 ½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter,” Fox News Media said in its announcement.
Bartiromo’s final episode of “Mornings with Maria” aired on Fox Business that morning. The program was set to become “Mornings with FOX Business” the following day, initially with rotating anchors.
“Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street” was also renamed “FBN’s Wall Street.” Cheryl Casone was set to host the first edition under the new format before rotating anchors took over.
On Fox News Channel, Jason Chaffetz was selected to host the next edition of “Sunday Morning Futures.” A permanent host was to be announced later.
The Decision Had Reportedly Been Made Weeks Earlier
Fox executives had decided in August to remove Bartiromo, CNN reported, citing a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The dispute reportedly centered on the disclosure of confidential information from inside the network.
Bartiromo wanted to devote airtime to claims involving China and the 2020 election, according to the report, which characterized the claims as conspiratorial. A network executive allegedly directed that the claims should not be covered.
Bartiromo then allegedly shared a text containing that internal guidance with President Donald Trump‘s White House officials. According to the account, the apparent purpose was to show that the decision not to air the story had come from the network rather than from her.
Management later learned that the internal communication had allegedly been shared outside the company. The disclosure was deemed a violation of Bartiromo’s employment agreement, according to the report.
A White House Call Reportedly Raised the Stakes
Dylan Byers, a founding partner and senior correspondent at Puck, provided additional details in a post on X, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.
His account said a Fox Business executive had sent producers instructions that the proposed story could not air. Bartiromo allegedly took a screenshot of that guidance and forwarded it to senior White House officials.
Network leadership then learned about the disclosure after receiving a call from the White House, according to the account. Management viewed the alleged action as a “fireable offense.”
The proposed story was also described as particularly sensitive for the network because it concerned China and 2020 election voting conspiracies amid its Dominion and Smartmatic lawsuits.
Byers reported that Bartiromo was pulled from the air after August 9, several weeks before her departure was announced on September 3.
He also reported that Bartiromo had re-signed her Fox contract the previous February. Her executive producer, Patrick Ignozzi, was also fired after the September 3 announcement, according to Byers.
