BS BULLETIN:
- Fox News Media abruptly parted ways with longtime anchor Maria Bartiromo Thursday after more than 12 years, immediately stripping her name from three programs.
- Multiple reports say the split followed Bartiromo allegedly sharing confidential Fox editorial guidance with White House officials after the network discouraged coverage of President Trump’s claims involving China and the 2020 election.
- Fox isn’t confirming that account, calling Bartiromo’s departure a “business decision,” while Trump says her fans “will not be happy.”
Maria Bartiromo is suddenly out at Fox News — and the circumstances surrounding her exit are turning into a story almost as big as the departure itself.
Fox News Media announced Thursday that Bartiromo was leaving “effective today” after 12½ years with the company, offering no explanation beyond thanking her for her work and wishing her well.
But behind the remarkably terse announcement is a much more explosive account.
CNN reported, citing a person familiar with the matter, that Fox leadership decided in August to remove Bartiromo after she allegedly disclosed confidential network information to the Trump White House.
According to the report, Bartiromo wanted to cover claims involving China and the 2020 election but had been instructed by a Fox executive not to pursue the story. She then allegedly showed White House officials a text message containing the network’s internal guidance.
Word reportedly made its way back to Fox management, where the disclosure was viewed as a violation of Bartiromo’s employment agreement.
Puck and Status reported similar accounts, while TheWrap asked Fox directly whether it was denying the allegation.
Fox didn’t.
“This was a business decision and the release speaks for itself,” a network spokesperson told TheWrap, declining to elaborate.
Mediaite reported another intriguing detail Thursday night: Bartiromo’s own staffers had reportedly been barred from speaking with her for weeks before her departure was announced.
Her executive producer, Patrick Ignozzi, is also out, according to multiple reports.
Fox wasted little time remaking the lineup. “Mornings with Maria” becomes “Mornings with FOX Business” beginning Friday with rotating anchors. “Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street” becomes “FBN’s Wall Street,” while former Republican congressman Jason Chaffetz will temporarily host “Sunday Morning Futures.”
President Trump weighed in Thursday night, praising Bartiromo as “a total professional, and a true warrior” and warning: “Her fans, of which there are many, will not be happy.”
MY QUICK TAKE
Whatever ultimately comes out about the behind-the-scenes drama, Fox didn’t exactly send Maria off with a sheet cake and a retirement montage.
Twelve and a half years. Three shows. And suddenly her name is disappearing from the schedule faster than you can say “business decision.”
Something happened here. Now everyone wants to know exactly what.
DBS WIRE SOURCES
- Fox News Media — Official announcement
- CNN — Fox abruptly ousts Maria Bartiromo
- Mediaite — Bartiromo’s staff reportedly barred from speaking with her
- TheWrap — Fox responds to report of White House leak
