Fox News stalwart Maria Bartiromo, who headed Fox Business for over twelve years, will no longer be appearing on the Rupert Murdoch-owned cable network.

 Bartiromo was the face of Fox’s business product, and her show regularly had high ratings.

The parent company Fox News Media issued a terse statement which read: “ We thank Maria for her work over the last twelve and a half years and wish her all the best on her next chapter.”

There was no fanfare or celebration of her contribution to Fox or acknowledgement of how she made Fox a force in broadcast business news.

Bartiromo is a very good anchor and a skilled broadcaster. She joined Fox from CNBC in 2014. Before that, she worked at CNN and was hired by Roger Ailes when he was President of CNBC.

Roger Ailes was later hired by Rupert Murdoch to head up Fox and he turned it into the most-watched news network in America. He brought on Bartiromo but was fired in 2016 following several sexual allegations concerning female anchors. 

Was Bartiromo fired or did she resign? 

What is clear is that Fox has seen the back of her and is moving on without her. “Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street” will no longer bear her name, and Bartiromo’s Fox Business Show” will now have rotating anchors and will now be called “Mornings with Fox Business”. 

It would be a shame if a decision was made to part company with Bartiromo because of her age and length of service in favour of Fox’s penchant for leggy young blondes. Bartiromo was the epitome of professionalism,  a trusted figure versed in her craft. Her long tenure and those three shows are unique selling points, making her a valuable asset. After twelve and a half years, she is bedded in, an established anchor who delivers day in and day out. She’s only fifty-eight years old and has gravitas, which is what is needed in the business world. She is no bright-eyed ingenue, eye-candy for business news viewers. 

She is elegant, well put together, a woman of substance. That should be de rigueur for Fox.

It has been said that she was too pro -Trump and that she was obsequious when interviewing him. Fox may very well be anticipating a wipeout of Republicans in the midterms and may want to put some distance between it and the Trump administration after having to pay out $787 million to Dominion Voting Systems in 2023 after claiming it rigged the 2020 elections. 

Then there are those who say she fell out with Fox bosses and that they want to go in a different direction with Bartiromo being surplus to requirements. 

Bartiromo has hired lawyer Bryan Freedman, and he insists she was not fired. He has said, “ 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.

“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.”

So can we take it that Bartiromo is still employed by Fox but no longer on air? 

This whole matter has become messy, and it is hoped that it doesn’t become ugly. 

On a personal note, I met Maria Bartiromo at a World Bank /IMF Spring meeting in Washington many years ago. She was moderating a panel discussion which featured George Soros. She was very good. I got to chat with her afterwards, and we walked out together past Foggy Bottom heading to the Four Seasons. I found her charming, informed, personable and enjoyed her company. I still think she is a good person and a terrific anchor.It is unfortunate that she is no longer anchoring business shows on Fox.  

President Trump weighed in on the matter, writing on Truth Social, “ I can’t believe Maria Bartiromo is no longer going to have her great shows on Fox News/Business. Three different shows, always number one. Maria is a total professional and a true warrior. Her fans, of whom there are many, will not be happy. God bless you, Maria.”