Maria Bartiromo, a key television ally of former President Donald Trump, has unexpectedly exited Fox News after a long tenure of over ten years. Fox provided no reasoning for her departure, prompting speculation about a potential role in the Trump administration. In a statement to Newsweek, Fox announced that ‘effective today,’ Bartiromo is no longer with them and expressed gratitude for her contributions over the past 12 and a half years. The departure is immediate, with her last broadcast of Mornings with Maria already aired. Her program Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street will be rebranded as FBN’s Wall Street, while Jason Chaffetz temporarily fills her Sunday Morning Futures slot. A permanent replacement will be announced later.
Success Despite Departure
Bartiromo’s exit is significant due to her success at Fox. Her show Sunday Morning Futures was the top-rated weekend program, attracting about 1.9 million viewers in the second quarter of the year. There is no evidence that ratings issues led to her departure. Speculation surrounds her next move, as Bartiromo, 58, may join the Trump administration, possibly replacing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who left in August. Bartiromo retains a close relationship with Trump, offering him a supportive platform while occasionally challenging his administration publicly. Fox has not commented on Bartiromo’s future plans. Attempts to reach her and the White House were made by Newsweek.
Election Fraud Controversy
Bartiromo’s coverage of the 2020 election remains her most controversial. She allocated significant airtime to Trump’s stolen election claims, frequently interviewing Trump’s attorney Sidney Powell despite questionable evidence. Her segments became central in the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit against Fox. Bartiromo defended her actions, asserting her audience was interested in Trump’s legal undertakings and evidence inquiries. She was also a defendant in Smartmatic’s defamation case against Fox News. These controversies did not diminish her status with Trump’s base, potentially enhancing her recognition as a pro-Trump figure on Fox.
In a separate incident in 2020, an animal-rights activist posing as Smithfield Foods’ CEO was interviewed by Bartiromo on Fox Business, maintaining the deception for over six minutes. This led Bartiromo to admit the program was ‘punked.’
Bartiromo’s Professional Journey
Maria Bartiromo is a seasoned financial journalist, known widely in American business media before becoming a prominent conservative media figure. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1967, she grew up in Bay Ridge, part of an Italian-American family. After attending Fontbonne Hall Academy, she studied journalism and economics at New York University. Bartiromo began her career at CNN as a producer and editor before joining CNBC in 1993. She became a pioneering financial television figure, regularly reporting from the New York Stock Exchange floor. She was the first journalist to report live daily from there, earning her the nickname “Money Honey” and multiple Emmy Awards.
Joining Fox Business in 2013, Bartiromo extended her focus from financial news to politics and national issues. She hosted Mornings with Maria, Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street, and Sunday Morning Futures, aligning more with Trump’s political movement. Her personal life ties her further to finance, marrying Jonathan Steinberg, CEO of WisdomTree, in 1999. Bartiromo’s career has seen her transition from esteemed Wall Street reporter to a significant media ally for Trump.
Potential Role in Trump Administration
Bartiromo’s longstanding relationship with Trump and her sympathetic interviewing style suggest she might join a future Trump administration. Her television experience, economic knowledge, and connections to Trump’s political circles could fit a communications or policy role. However, she has not always served as a simple echo for Trump’s administration. She has challenged Trump’s team, as shown in a notable 2025 encounter with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over inconsistent tariff policy explanations. Her criticism of Trump’s claims about Iran’s military capabilities in July also highlighted her willingness to question Trump’s narrative, implying she may not seamlessly transition into an administration role. She’s aligned closely with Trump but remains critical when clarity is needed in economic strategy. This dynamic complicates predictions about her next steps.