Summary (tl;dr)

Veteran anchor Maria Bartiromo has abruptly parted ways with Fox News Media, effective September 3, 2026, following over a decade with the network. Her unexpected departure is reportedly linked to ongoing defamation lawsuits against Fox and allegations of her sharing internal company information with the Trump White House.

Essential Background

Maria Bartiromo is a prominent financial journalist who joined Fox News Media in 2014, after a distinguished 20-year career at CNBC where she earned the nickname "the money hunny" as the first television journalist to report live from the New York Stock Exchange floor. At Fox, she anchored significant programs including "Mornings with Maria" on Fox Business Network and "Sunday Morning Futures" on Fox News Channel. Over recent years, Bartiromo became a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, providing extensive airtime to his claims about the 2020 presidential election. This coverage positioned her as a key figure in major defamation lawsuits brought against Fox News by voting technology companies Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic. Fox News settled the Dominion lawsuit for $787.5 million, while the Smartmatic case remains ongoing.

The Full Story

On Thursday, September 3, 2026, Fox News Media announced Maria Bartiromo's immediate departure from the network, issuing a statement that read, "We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 ½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter". Bartiromo's last appearance on air was on August 9, 2026. While Fox News described the split as a "business decision," sources indicate it was Fox's choice and was influenced by "legal headaches" stemming from statements made on her programs. A critical factor cited for her exit was her alleged sharing of confidential internal company directives with the Trump White House, which reportedly instructed Fox talent not to validate certain conspiracy theories promoted by Donald Trump. In the wake of her departure, Bartiromo's signature shows on Fox Business Network, "Mornings with Maria" and "Maria Bartiromo's Wall Street," have been rebranded as "Mornings with Fox Business" and "FBN's Wall Street," respectively, featuring rotating anchors. Her Fox News program, "Sunday Morning Futures," will also continue with guest hosts.

Why It Matters

Maria Bartiromo's sudden departure is a significant development given her prominent role as a Fox News anchor and her strong ties to former President Donald Trump. Her exit, particularly amidst the backdrop of ongoing, multi-billion dollar defamation lawsuits against Fox News where her on-air comments were heavily scrutinized, highlights the network's continued efforts to manage the legal and reputational fallout from its 2020 election coverage. The alleged disclosure of internal company guidance to the White House further underscores the complex interplay between media, politics, and journalistic integrity. This move will undoubtedly lead to notable programming changes across Fox Business and Fox News, potentially reshaping their on-air talent landscape and influencing audience viewership.

Geographic Location

• 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York City, New York, United States (Fox News Media headquarters and studios, where Maria Bartiromo's shows were broadcast and her departure was announced)