Further details in Maria Bartiromo’s departure from Fox News point a finger at a specific executive, while her attorney decried “unequivocally false” rumors.
Thursday, surprise and well-wishes blended with speculation as a brief statement announced the longtime Fox News and Fox Business personality was “no longer with FOX News Media.” Amid reports asserting motivation in the move, Bartiromo’s attorney made one point clear: his client was not fired, and those reporting as such displayed an “utter reckless disregard for the truth.”
In a statement released Friday, shared on X by Puck News senior correspondent Dylan Byers, attorney Bryan Freedman expressed, “For many years, Maria Bartiromo hosted three No. 1-rated television shows on Fox channels.”
“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 receipts and witnesses and they will come out whether through the courthouse or otherwise,” he added. “Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth.”
NEW: Maria Bartiromo’s lawyer Bryan Freedman sends statement:
For many years, Maria Bartiromo hosted three number one rated television shows on Fox channels. She has been, without question, one of the hardest working journalists throughout her award winning career.
The…— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) September 4, 2026
As was reported, the network announced Thursday, “Effective today, Maria Bartiromo is no longer with FOX News Media. We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 ½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter.”
Shortly thereafter, rumors circulating about the now-former anchor heading to the White House to take over press secretary duties from Karoline Leavitt were overshadowed by speculation the network had allegedly squashed a story connecting China with the 2020 election.
Byers contended on X that suppression of the story from an executive prompted Bartiromo to inform a senior official at the White House: “Fox News leadership learned about that after receiving a call from the White House, which they viewed as a fireable offense. Fox pulled Bartiromo from air after Aug. 9. She was fired today. I have also learned that her executive producer Patrick Ignozzi was also fired after the [announcement].”
The correspondent went on to report Friday that Fox Business executive Ralph Giordano was allegedly behind direction to bar coverage of President Donald Trump’s primetime address, where the chief executive spoke to evidence of the CIA and FBI suppressing evidence of a Chinese hack of voter data during the 2020 presidential election.
Byers noted that Giordano “was previously alleged to have called Bartiromo a ‘very difficult talent’ whom he did ‘not like at all,'” adding, “Maria sought to distance him from oversight of her show.”
SCOOP @PuckNews: The Fox Business executive who sought to stop Maria Bartiromo from covering Trump’s speech was Ralph Giordano, who was previously alleged to have called Bartiromo a “very difficult talent” whom he did “not like at all.” Maria sought to distance him from oversight…
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) September 4, 2026
🚨 New details revealed about who was behind Maria Bartiromo’s departure from Fox.
Ralph Giordano, Fox Business SVP of Programming, reportedly instructed Maria’s producers NOT to cover President Trump’s upcoming primetime speech on election integrity and China on her show.… pic.twitter.com/BiIYXgCJts
— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) September 4, 2026
Meanwhile, in response to Freedman’s statement, a representative for Fox News Media told NBC News that the initial press release “speaks for itself.”
Additionally, Just the News founder John Solomon reported that Bartiromo “remains under contract with Fox News and receiving her pay until 2029. She has been removed from air and won’t return. But she continues to remain with Fox at present under the pay or play provision of a contract, which is common in television.”
The reports that @MariaBartiromo Bartiromo was “fired“ are not true. She remains under contract with Fox News and receiving her pay until 2029. She has been removed from air and won’t return. But she continues to remain with Fox at present under the pay or play provision of a…
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) September 4, 2026
As to whether the White House would soon be the new home for Bartiromo, the president offered no hint, as his own statement read, “I can’t believe Maria Bartiromo is no longer going to have her great show(s) on FoxNews/Business. Three different shows, always number one. Maria is a total professional, and a true warrior. Her fans, of which there are many, will not be happy. God bless you, Maria!”
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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