The longtime Fox Business and Fox News host, who departed the network on September 3, 2026, after more than 12 years, posted her first public statement on social media on September 10. The message was brief but pointed: a thank-you to supporters, a photo of a rainbow breaking through storm clouds, and a promise that more is coming.
“Thank you to all friends & followers for your amazing words I am so grateful for the outpouring of love on SM & texts,” Bartiromo wrote on X. “I love you all. here’s a great shot of the [rainbow emoji] breaking through, I snapped the other day. More to come.”
The statement marks Bartiromo’s first public comments since Fox News Media announced her departure in a terse press release that thanked her for her “work over the last 12 ½ years” and wished her “all the best on her next chapter.”
But the story behind that departure is far from simple. Bartiromo’s attorney has forcefully denied reports that she was fired, claiming he has “receipts and witnesses” that will prove it. Meanwhile, reporting from multiple outlets suggests her exit was tied to a leak of internal Fox News guidance to the Trump administration.
Here’s everything we know about what happened, what Bartiromo has said, and what remains unresolved.
Maria Bartiromo Breaks Her Silence
Bartiromo’s September 10 statement was her first public communication since Fox announced her departure on September 3.
The message itself was characteristically understated. She did not address the circumstances of her exit, did not confirm or deny reports about why she left, and did not announce any future plans. Instead, she thanked her supporters and shared a personal photograph.
The phrase “More to come” has generated significant speculation, though Bartiromo did not elaborate on what she meant. It could refer to future professional endeavors, a more detailed statement, or simply her intention to continue engaging with her audience.
The timing of the statement is notable. It came exactly one week after Fox’s announcement and one day after her attorney, Bryan Freedman, issued a fiery denial of reports that she was fired.
Bartiromo had been absent from Fox’s airwaves since August 10, nearly a month before her departure was officially announced. Her X account had been dormant since September 3.
What Happened With Maria Bartiromo and Fox News?
The sequence of events leading to Bartiromo’s departure has been pieced together through reporting from multiple outlets, though Fox itself has provided no explanation.
The Official Announcement
On September 3, 2026, Fox News Media issued a brief statement: “We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 ½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter.” The announcement came hours after the final episode of “Mornings with Maria” aired on Fox Business Network.
The network moved quickly to rebrand her programs. “Mornings with Maria” became “Mornings with Fox Business” with rotating anchors. “Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street” was renamed “FBN’s Wall Street.” Her weekly Fox News show, “Sunday Morning Futures,” was temporarily handed to Jason Chaffetz.
The Reported Reason
According to reporting from Status, Puck News, and The New York Times, the catalyst for Bartiromo’s exit was a leak of internal Fox News guidance to the White House.
In July 2026, as President Trump prepared a prime-time speech on election security, Fox Business executives sent guidance to on-air talent instructing them to steer clear of amplifying Trump’s claims about the 2020 election—a sensitive topic given the network’s $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems in 2023.
Bartiromo allegedly shared that internal guidance with Trump adviser Peter Navarro, who then forwarded it “up the chain” to the White House. Navarro later confirmed in an interview that he received the message from Bartiromo and felt it was his duty to relay what he saw as evidence of Fox “censoring the Trump administration.”
The White House subsequently complained to Fox News, which viewed the disclosure as a breach of company policy.
The New York Times reported that the sequence of events—described by Navarro and two other people with knowledge of the discussions—”would bring an abrupt end to Ms. Bartiromo’s on-air career at the network.”
Was Maria Bartiromo Fired or Leaving Fox News?
This is the central disputed question in the story.
What Fox News Has Said
Fox News Media’s official statement did not use the word “fired.” It said the network “parted ways” with Bartiromo and thanked her for her work. The statement provided no reason for the separation.
What Bartiromo’s Attorney Says
Bryan Freedman, a prominent Hollywood attorney representing Bartiromo, issued a forceful denial of reports that she was fired.
“The irresponsible reports that have been published stating that Maria Bartiromo was fired or is no longer an employee of Fox are absolutely and unequivocally false,” Freedman told the Daily Mail and Newsweek.
“Make no mistake, we have the receipts and witnesses and they will come out whether through the courthouse or otherwise. Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth.”
Freedman’s statement suggests that Bartiromo may still be under contract with Fox, even though she is no longer on air. The New York Times reported that Bartiromo “still has considerable time left on her contract,” meaning Fox News may still be obligated to pay her millions annually despite ending her on-air role. That contract could also prevent her from appearing on other networks.
What the Reporting Suggests
Multiple outlets, including Status, Puck, and The New York Times, have reported that Bartiromo was effectively terminated—that Fox ended her on-air role as a consequence of the leak. However, the precise legal characterization of her departure remains unclear.
The distinction matters because “fired” carries specific implications about cause and potentially affects contractual obligations. What is clear is that Fox ended her on-air presence, and Bartiromo’s attorney disputes the characterization of that decision as a firing.
Maria Bartiromo’s Fox News Career
Bartiromo joined Fox Business Network in 2013 after two decades at CNBC, where she became one of the most recognizable financial journalists on television.
At CNBC, she pioneered daily live reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in 1995—the first journalist to do so—and won an Emmy Award for a documentary about Google.
At Fox, she hosted three programs: “Mornings with Maria” on Fox Business, “Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street,” and “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News. “Sunday Morning Futures” ranked as the network’s top-rated weekend program, averaging roughly 1.9 million viewers in the second quarter of 2026.
Court documents from the Dominion lawsuit revealed that Bartiromo earned approximately $70 million since joining Fox from CNBC.
She became closely associated with President Trump during his first term, frequently interviewing him and providing a platform for his election-related claims. That coverage made her a central figure in the Dominion defamation lawsuit, which Fox settled for $787.5 million in 2023. A similar lawsuit from Smartmatic remained pending at the time of her departure.
Why Her Departure Matters for Fox News
Bartiromo’s exit represents a significant moment for Fox News as the network navigates the post-Dominion legal landscape.
She was one of the last remaining on-air figures whose coverage of the 2020 election drew defamation liability. Her departure removes a potential ongoing legal exposure—the Smartmatic lawsuit had named her specifically—and signals a broader shift in how the network handles election-related content.
The timing is also notable. Fox News has been recalibrating its approach to Trump’s election claims since the Dominion settlement, and Bartiromo’s willingness to platform those claims had become an outlier within the network.
Her exit also removes a familiar face from Fox Business, where she was a foundational presence. The network’s decision to rebrand her shows with rotating anchors rather than immediately naming permanent replacements suggests an extended transition period.
What Could Maria Bartiromo Do Next?
Bartiromo has not announced her next move. Her statement—”More to come”—offers no specifics.
Speculation has included a potential role in the Trump administration, with prediction markets briefly listing her as a possible White House press secretary candidate. However, Vice President JD Vance said he was unaware of any such plans when asked about it.
If Bartiromo remains under contract with Fox, she may be restricted from joining a competing network for a period of time. She could pursue independent media ventures, a book project, or other opportunities that do not conflict with her existing contractual obligations.
For now, her next steps remain unknown.
What Maria Bartiromo’s Latest Statement Could Mean
Bartiromo’s message was deliberately vague, but several elements stand out.
The phrase “More to come” suggests she intends to remain in the public eye, though she did not specify how. The choice to communicate via social media rather than through a formal press statement gives her direct control over her message.
The rainbow imagery—a symbol of hope after a storm—could be read as an optimistic signal about her future, though Bartiromo did not explicitly frame it that way.
What the statement did not do is equally notable. She did not address the leak allegations, did not confirm or deny reports about her firing, did not thank Fox News, and did not announce any specific plans. Her silence on the substance of the controversy leaves many questions unanswered.
Maria Bartiromo: Career Timeline
1993: Joins CNBC after being hired by then-CNBC President Roger Ailes.
1995: Becomes first journalist to report live daily from the New York Stock Exchange floor.
2013: Joins Fox Business Network after 20 years at CNBC.
2014: Launches “Mornings with Maria” on Fox Business.
2015: Begins hosting “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News.
2020: Her show becomes a central platform for Trump’s election fraud claims.
2023: Fox settles Dominion defamation lawsuit for $787.5 million; Bartiromo was named in the suit.
2025: Smartmatic lawsuit against Fox News proceeds, with Bartiromo as a remaining defendant.
July 2026: Bartiromo allegedly shares internal Fox guidance with Peter Navarro.
August 10, 2026: Bartiromo’s last appearance on Fox airwaves.
September 3, 2026: Fox News Media announces Bartiromo’s departure.
September 4, 2026: Attorney Bryan Freedman denies she was fired.
September 10, 2026: Bartiromo breaks her silence on X.
What We Know and What We Don’t Know
Confirmed
- Fox News Media announced Bartiromo’s departure on September 3, 2026.
- Her shows were rebranded and given new hosts.
- Bartiromo posted a statement on X on September 10 thanking supporters and saying “More to come.”
- Her attorney, Bryan Freedman, has denied she was fired.
- Fox News has not publicly explained the reason for her departure.
Not Confirmed
- The precise reason Fox ended her on-air role (the leak is reported but not officially confirmed by Fox).
- Whether Bartiromo was technically “fired” or whether her departure was characterized differently internally.
- What her next professional move will be.
- Whether she remains under contract with Fox and for how long.
- Whether she will pursue legal action against the network.
FAQ
Why is Maria Bartiromo leaving Fox News?
Fox News has not publicly stated a reason. Reporting from multiple outlets, including Status, Puck News, and The New York Times, indicates her exit followed her alleged sharing of internal Fox News guidance with the Trump administration. Bartiromo has not confirmed this account.
Did Fox News fire Maria Bartiromo?
Her attorney, Bryan Freedman, says reports that she was fired are “absolutely and unequivocally false.” Fox News has not used the word “fired” in its statements. The network said it “parted ways” with her, but multiple reports suggest her on-air role was terminated.
What did Maria Bartiromo say about her departure?
Bartiromo’s public statement was brief: “Thank you to all friends & followers for your amazing words I am so grateful for the outpouring of love on SM & texts. I love you all. here’s a great shot of the [rainbow] breaking through, I snapped the other day. More to come.” She did not address the circumstances of her exit.
How long has Maria Bartiromo been with Fox News?
She joined Fox Business Network in 2013 and departed in September 2026, a tenure of approximately 12.5 years.
What is Maria Bartiromo known for?
Bartiromo is known for her career as a financial journalist, including pioneering live reporting from the NYSE floor at CNBC and hosting multiple programs at Fox Business and Fox News. She is also known for her close association with President Trump and her coverage of his 2020 election claims.
What could Maria Bartiromo do next?
She has not announced specific plans. Her statement “More to come” suggests she intends to remain active publicly. Speculation has included a potential Trump administration role, though no confirmation exists. If she remains under contract with Fox, she may face restrictions on joining competing networks.
Is Maria Bartiromo still with Fox News?
No. Fox News Media announced on September 3, 2026, that she was “no longer with” the network, effective immediately. Her programs have been rebranded and are being hosted by other anchors.