Summary (tl;dr)

Maria Bartiromo has abruptly departed from Fox News Media, effective today, September 3, 2026, after 12 and a half years with the network, leading to the immediate rebranding of her shows and the announcement of temporary hosts.

Essential Background

Maria Bartiromo established herself as a prominent financial journalist at CNBC before joining Fox News Media in 2014, where she hosted shows like "Mornings with Maria" and "Sunday Morning Futures". Over her tenure at Fox, her reporting became increasingly political, characterized by strong support for former President Donald Trump. She was also a central figure in defamation lawsuits against Fox News related to its coverage of the 2020 election, including the Dominion Voting Systems case, which Fox settled for $787.5 million, and an ongoing $2.7 billion Smartmatic lawsuit where Bartiromo was an individual defendant.

The Full Story

Fox News Media announced today, September 3, 2026, that Maria Bartiromo is no longer affiliated with the company. The network issued a statement thanking her for her contributions over the past 12 and a half years but did not provide a specific reason for her sudden exit. Consequently, her programs, "Mornings with Maria" on Fox Business and "Maria Bartiromo's Wall Street," will be rebranded as "Mornings with Fox Business" and "FBN's Wall Street," respectively. Her Sunday show, "Sunday Morning Futures," will also continue with a rotating lineup of hosts until a permanent replacement is named. Bartiromo had been off the air since early August without prior explanation, and her abrupt departure has generated considerable discussion and speculation within the media industry.

Why It Matters

Maria Bartiromo's unexpected departure is a significant event in media, given her long-standing prominence as a financial and political anchor and her influence across Fox News and Fox Business. Her shows were key components of the network's programming, and her strong pro-Trump stance made her a highly visible figure, especially during contentious political periods like the discussions surrounding the 2020 election. The abrupt nature of her exit, particularly as she was the last individual defendant still employed by Fox in the Smartmatic defamation suit, raises questions about the future editorial direction of her former programs and potential shifts in the network's talent strategy.

Geographic Location

• New York City, New York, United States (Fox News Media headquarters, where the announcement of Maria Bartiromo's departure was made and her shows were broadcast)