An attorney for long-time Fox News host Maria Bartiromo issued a head-turning statement after reports on Friday claimed she was “fired” by the network.
Directly addressing the firing reports, attorney Bryan Freedman said those claims were false.
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“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,” his statement began.
“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,” he continued.
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“Make no mistake, we have the receipts and witnesses and they will come out whether through the courthouse or otherwise,” he said.
“Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth,” Freedman added.
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Bryan Freedman, Maria Bartiromo’s attorney, is releasing a statement saying that she has *not* been fired by Fox News, and calls recent media reports contradicting that information “absolutely and unequivocally false.” pic.twitter.com/7RuH6pVjNi
— Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) September 4, 2026
Freedman’s statemet comes after Puck News reporter Dylan Byers, who claimed to cite multiple sources familiar with the situation, Bartiromo’s abrupt departure from Fox News followed an internal dispute over proposed coverage involving China and claims surrounding the 2020 presidential election.
Byers reported that Bartiromo wanted to pursue a story involving those claims, but a Fox Business executive sent guidance to producers saying the segment could not air.
The issue was particularly sensitive inside Fox because of the network’s costly litigation stemming from its coverage of disputed 2020 election claims, including its $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems and its continuing legal battle with Smartmatic.
According to the report, Bartiromo took a screenshot of the internal guidance and sent it to senior White House officials.
Fox executives reportedly learned about the disclosure after receiving a call from the White House and viewed the sharing of internal editorial instructions as a serious breach.
Trump adviser Peter Navarro subsequently confirmed that Bartiromo had sent him a screenshot of Fox Business guidance concerning coverage of the president’s 2020 election claims, providing on-the-record support for a central element of the reporting about the dispute.
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Fox News Media announced Sept. 3 that Bartiromo was “no longer with” the company, effective immediately, after more than 12 years at the network.
The company publicly characterized the move only as a “business decision” and has not confirmed that the reported White House disclosure was the reason for her exit.
There is also a dispute over whether Bartiromo was technically fired. Fox, meanwhile, has stood by its announcement that Bartiromo is no longer with Fox News Media.
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Fox also immediately began restructuring Bartiromo’s former programs. “Mornings With Maria” was renamed “Mornings With FOX Business,” “Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street” became “FBN’s Wall Street,” and Jason Chaffetz was tapped to temporarily host “Sunday Morning Futures” while the network searches for a permanent replacement.
NEW: The Maria Bartiromo backstory, per multiple sources familiar….
Maria Bartiromo wanted to pursue a story related to China and 2020 election voting conspiracies… a major sensitivity for the network given its Dominion and Smartmatic lawsuits.
A Fox Business executive sent…
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) September 3, 2026
According to a separate report from Oliver Darcy’s Status newsletter, Fox News had issued internal guidance instructing its talent not to amplify President Donald Trump’s July 16 address involving claims of foreign interference in the 2020 election.
Other reporting has since supported a key part of that account: Trump adviser Peter Navarro confirmed that Bartiromo sent him a screenshot of Fox Business guidance concerning coverage of Trump’s 2020 election claims.
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Fox News Media publicly announced Bartiromo’s departure on Sept. 3, saying she was no longer with the company effective that day.
“We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 ½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter,” the network said.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
