Nobody saw this coming.
Fox News Media delivered a major surprise Thursday, announcing that longtime anchor Maria Bartiromo is leaving the network after more than 12 years.
Bartiromo has become one of the most recognizable figures in conservative media and has conducted numerous interviews with President Donald Trump over the years.
But Fox offered no explanation for the sudden departure.
The network announced that Bartiromo was no longer with Fox News Media effective immediately, thanked her for more than 12 years of work and wished her well in her next chapter.
The lack of additional details quickly raised questions about what happened — and what could be next for the veteran financial journalist.
Fox News Makes Sudden Announcement
Bartiromo held an unusually prominent position inside the Fox media operation.
She hosted the three-hour weekday program “Mornings with Maria” on Fox Business Network, along with the weekly financial program “Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street.”
She was also the face of “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News, where she regularly interviewed some of the biggest names in Republican politics and the Trump administration.
Fox confirmed that the final episode of “Mornings with Maria” aired Thursday morning.
Starting Friday, the show will be renamed “Mornings with FOX Business,” with a rotating lineup of anchors taking over hosting duties following Bartiromo’s departure.
Her departure ends a remarkable run for a journalist who spent decades covering Wall Street, Washington and the American economy.
Bartiromo Became A Familiar Face To Trump Supporters
Long before joining Fox, Bartiromo established herself as one of America’s best-known financial journalists.
She spent roughly two decades at CNBC and became famous for reporting directly from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, something that helped make her a household name among business-news viewers.
Her profile changed significantly after moving to Fox.
While Bartiromo continued covering markets, inflation, jobs, taxes and the economy, politics became an increasingly important part of her programs.
During the Trump years, she became especially familiar to conservative viewers.
Trump appeared with Bartiromo for numerous interviews, and the president has publicly praised her reporting.
Their relationship wasn’t limited to television appearances.
Bartiromo attended an inauguration-related dinner in January 2025 and publicly thanked Trump while praising his dedication to the United States.
She later posted a photograph from another dinner at the White House with Trump and communications director Steven Cheung, once again praising the president’s leadership.
That history is one reason her sudden departure is likely to attract considerable attention from Trump supporters.
Election Lawsuits Put Bartiromo In The Spotlight
Bartiromo was also drawn into the legal controversy surrounding Fox News and its coverage following the 2020 presidential election.
Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox over election-related claims broadcast by the network. Fox ultimately reached a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion in April 2023.
Bartiromo’s communications became part of the evidence disclosed during the litigation.
In one message to a producer, Bartiromo argued that concerns among Trump supporters about the integrity of the election deserved coverage.
Bartiromo later denied knowing that election-fraud allegations at issue in the litigation were false.
Voting technology company Smartmatic separately pursued defamation litigation involving Fox and coverage of the 2020 election.
However, there is currently no public confirmation that litigation involving Fox had anything to do with Bartiromo’s departure.
Fox has not announced a reason for the decision.
Is A Trump Administration Job Next?
Bartiromo’s sudden exit has inevitably created another question: Could she be headed for a position connected to the Trump administration?
At this point, that is speculation.
But the possibility is getting attention because of Bartiromo’s longstanding relationship with Trump and the history of Fox personalities moving into government positions.
Bartiromo already has one Trump-connected appointment.
She and fellow Fox News personality Laura Ingraham were appointed to the Kennedy Center board in 2025.
Some conservative commentators have also floated Bartiromo’s name as a possible candidate for a White House communications role.
Nothing has been officially announced, however, and Bartiromo’s next move remains unknown.
Unless she or the White House confirms such a move, any suggestion that she is joining the administration should be treated strictly as speculation.
Fox Business Moves Quickly To Replace Her Shows
Fox News Media is already reorganizing its programming following Bartiromo’s exit.
“Mornings with Maria” will become “Mornings with FOX Business,” with rotating anchors taking over.
Her weekly program will continue under the new title “FBN’s Wall Street,” with Cheryl Casone taking the helm for the first broadcast before other anchors rotate into the hosting role.
Changes are coming to Bartiromo’s Sunday program as well.
Former Republican congressman and Fox contributor Jason Chaffetz will temporarily host “Sunday Morning Futures,” while Fox searches for a permanent replacement.
The network has also indicated that additional changes to its weekday Fox Business schedule are coming.
Another Major Change At Fox News
Bartiromo’s departure removes another major personality from the Fox News lineup.
The network has experienced several high-profile exits over the years, including Tucker Carlson’s departure in 2023.
Bartiromo’s case is different in one important respect: Fox has not publicly explained why the relationship ended.
That leaves viewers with plenty of unanswered questions.
Was this simply a business decision? Did Bartiromo decide it was time for something new? Could another television opportunity be waiting? Or could she eventually enter the political world?
For now, none of those possibilities has been confirmed.
What is certain is that Bartiromo’s departure represents a significant change for Fox News and Fox Business.
After more than 12 years with the company, one of the most recognizable voices in financial and conservative media is suddenly gone — and viewers will now be watching closely to see what she does next.
