U.S. President Donald Trump has praised longtime television anchor Maria Bartiromo following her abrupt departure from Fox News Media, amid reports that she was dismissed for allegedly sharing internal network information with the Trump administration.
Fox announced Thursday that Bartiromo was leaving the network effective immediately after more than 12 years, bringing an unexpected end to her tenure at Fox News and Fox Business.
Trump responded to the announcement on Truth Social, expressing surprise at the decision and describing Bartiromo as a highly successful broadcaster.
He called her a “total professional” and a “true warrior,” adding that her many viewers would be unhappy about her departure.
Trump’s son Eric also praised Bartiromo, describing her as one of the hardest-working figures in the media and calling her departure a major loss for Fox.
Report links departure to alleged leak
Fox did not publicly provide a reason for Bartiromo’s exit, saying only that she was no longer with Fox News Media and thanking her for her work.
However, media publication Status subsequently reported that Bartiromo was dismissed after allegedly leaking an internal Fox directive to the Trump administration.
According to the report cited by The Independent, Fox executives had instructed programs to avoid Trump’s latest unsubstantiated claims surrounding the 2020 presidential election. Bartiromo allegedly shared that internal guidance with the administration, an action reportedly considered a violation of her employment agreement.
Neither Bartiromo nor Fox has publicly confirmed that account. Bartiromo had not commented on her dismissal at the time of the report.
The controversy comes as Fox has taken a more cautious approach to claims involving the 2020 election following its high-profile defamation case with Dominion Voting Systems. Fox agreed to pay $787.5 million in 2023 to settle the lawsuit.
Long relationship with Trump
Bartiromo has interviewed Trump numerous times and has been one of the television personalities most closely associated with his political rise.
She was reportedly even considered as a potential running mate during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign before he ultimately selected JD Vance, according to a book about Trump’s return to the White House.
More recently, speculation emerged that Bartiromo could move into the Trump administration, potentially succeeding former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. However, Vanity Fair Washington correspondent Aidan McLaughlin reported that Bartiromo was not leaving Fox for a Trump administration position.
Fox reshuffles Bartiromo’s programs
Fox Business is already moving to reorganize Bartiromo’s television lineup.
Mornings with Maria will become Mornings with Fox Business, with a rotating group of presenters taking over hosting duties.
Her Friday program, Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street, will be renamed Fox Business Network’s Wall Street. Cheryl Casone is set to host the program this week.
Bartiromo’s Sunday Morning Futures will meanwhile be presented this weekend by Jason Chaffetz, with Fox expected to name a permanent replacement later.
For now, Fox has publicly characterized Bartiromo’s departure simply as the end of her time with the network, while reports surrounding the alleged internal leak have added a political dimension to the sudden exit of one of its most prominent pro-Trump personalities.
