Maria Bartiromo leaves Fox News after sharing internal memo with White House

Fox News announced on Thursday that Maria Bartiromo is no longer employed by the network. The move follows a report that Bartiromo forwarded an internal memo to the Trump White House that instructed Fox programs not to pursue the president’s 2020 election-fraud narrative. The guidance, circulated to Fox Business producers in July, was intended to limit coverage that could expose the network to further defamation lawsuits, including the $750 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems and an ongoing case with Smartmatic.

A source familiar with the matter said the network removed Bartiromo after learning she had shared the memo with the White House. Fox described the termination as a “business decision,” noting that the company must balance its political coverage with legal and financial risks. Bartiromo has not commented publicly, but her attorney Bryan Freedman issued a statement denying reports that she was fired, suggesting she may receive compensation under the terms of her contract.

The incident highlights a recurring tension between Fox News’ support for President Donald Trump and its need to avoid legal exposure from election-fraud claims. Previous high-profile departures, such as Tucker Carlson in 2023, have underscored the network’s willingness to replace top talent when internal policies are breached. Fox’s senior leadership, including Rupert Murdoch, his son Lachlan, and CEO Suzanne Scott, remain responsible for editorial direction.

Analysts note that while Fox often aligns with Trump’s agenda, it draws a line at content that could jeopardize the company’s financial interests. The Bartiromo case serves as a reminder to staff that violating internal directives can result in swift action, regardless of a host’s prominence.