Maria Bartiromo’s Fox exit has been attracting speculation from people trying to ascertain whether it is true or not. However, her camp has been pushing back hard against claims her exit from Fox News was not due to a firing. According to a statement obtained by the Daily Mail, Bartiromo’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, says that any report claiming she was fired or no longer working with Fox is “absolutely and unequivocally” false. His fervent position, amidst all the speculation, has set the stage for a public dispute over the reason one of Fox’s most popular hosts left.
Where Fox Stands in this Dispute
Freedman is currently making bold claims regarding the truth of the matter. However, it is confirmed that on Thursday, September 3, Fox News Media issued a brief announcement that stated unequivocally that Maria Bartiromo was no longer an employee.
“Effective today, Maria Bartiromo is no longer with FOX News Media,” the statement began before going on to express appreciation for all the work Bartiromo put in over the 12 ½ years she was at the agency and wishing her well as she moved on.
The statement’s delicate wording may be adding fuel to the speculation, as it did not word her exit as a dismissal, nor did it offer any further explanation regarding the reason or timing. Nevertheless, Fox is clear on where it stands regarding Maria Bartiromo’s exit and has wasted no time in reworking its lineup.
According to the statement via Daily Mail, the last episode of Bartiromo’s show, “Mornings with Maria,” aired on the morning of September 3 on FOX Business Network(FBN). The show is expected to transition to “Mornings with FOX Business” and kicked off September 4 with rotating anchors. Her show, “Wall Street,” is also going to be revamped. It’ll become “FBN’s Wall Street” this week, with Cheryl Casone as host while rotating anchors helm the show thereafter.
Jason Chaffetz will also step in to host Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” for the weekend. However, a permanent replacement is yet to be named. The swiftness with which Fox effected the changes to its lineup has also further encouraged speculation.
Speculation on the Reason Behind Maria Bartiromo’s Fox Exit
There are currently conflicting accounts of the reason behind Maria Bartiromo’s Fox exit, made worse by her attorney’s blatant statements. Freedman has not only denied the firing, but he has also warned that he has “receipts and witnesses.” He claims these evidence will “come out whether through the courthouse or otherwise.”
He also pointed accusing fingers at outlets that reported news of her firing. Freedman claims it was a “complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth.” Then he praised Bartiromo’s Fox run, which saw her host three top-rated shows across the media brand’s networks.
His denial is fueling speculation as it directly contrasts the news circulating on mainstream outlets. The New York Times reported that the reason behind her dismissal was that she shared internal Fox guidance. The guidance cautioned staff against making certain claims linked to the 2020 election, with White House officials.
Such a disclosure is said to have been regarded by Fox leadership as a fireable breach of company policy. However, a Fox spokesperson has described her exit as a “business decision,” a response that has left the door open for speculation. Even more intriguing is the fact that the last time Bartiromo was on air was weeks ago. She had been absent from her shows as far back as August 9. That absence had already triggered speculation among viewers even before Fox released its official statement.
The Only Certainty is the Dispute Itself
At the time of this writing, there is much speculation and conflicting accounts on the topic. No party has furnished the public with the full picture. Fox did not frame her exit as a dismissal. Also, her attorney is yet to produce those receipts and witnesses he says he has.
POTUS Donald Trump weighing in with praise on Truth Social, tagging her a “total professional” and “true warrior.” His Vice President, JD Vance, quickly moved to shut down speculation about her taking over the vacant seat of White House press secretary.
