Fox News Drops Bartiromo; Trump Calls Her a True Warrior
Cover image from slate.com, which was analyzed for this article
Longtime anchor's shows rebranded without her; Trump calls her a true warrior amid alleged leak concerns.
PoliticalOS
Friday, September 4, 2026 — Politics
Fox removed a prominent anchor after an alleged internal leak concerning coverage of 2020 election claims, prompting immediate praise from President Trump. The network is already replacing her shows with new hosts while the central allegation rests on a single industry report that remains unconfirmed elsewhere.
What outlets missed
No outlet provided the text of the internal directive or the exact date it was allegedly shared. Bartiromo’s own record of on-air statements about the 2020 election and any prior warnings she received were not detailed. Reactions from other Fox hosts or executives beyond the official statement were absent. The financial or ratings impact of removing a top-rated anchor was not addressed.
Fox News Media ended its relationship with longtime anchor Maria Bartiromo on September 4, removing her from three programs that will continue under new names and hosts. The network issued a brief statement thanking her for 12 and a half years of work and wishing her well, without stating a reason. President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social that he could not believe she would no longer host her shows, calling her a total professional and a true warrior whose fans would be unhappy. His son Eric Trump posted that she was the best in the business and the hardest-working person in media.
Media-industry newsletter Status reported that Bartiromo was dismissed after allegedly sharing an internal Fox directive with the Trump administration. The directive instructed shows to avoid the president’s unproven claims, made in a July Oval Office address, that national security officials and China had interfered in the 2020 election. Fox settled a related defamation suit brought by Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million in 2023 and has since shown greater caution on such topics. Sharing the directive would have violated Bartiromo’s employment agreement, according to Status. The claim has not been corroborated by other outlets.
Bartiromo had interviewed Trump repeatedly and was once considered for a role as his running mate in 2024 before JD Vance was chosen, according to the book Revenge by Alex Isenstadt. Speculation that she might join the administration as press secretary was rejected by Vanity Fair correspondent Aidan McLaughlin. Her programs are being rebranded immediately: Mornings with Maria becomes Mornings with Fox Business with rotating hosts; Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street becomes Fox Business Network’s Wall Street, hosted this week by Cheryl Casone; and Sunday Morning Futures will be presented by Jason Chaffetz until a permanent replacement is named.
Bartiromo has not commented publicly. The Independent reached out to the White House, Fox, and her attorney without response at the time of publication.
More in Politics
Trump Bars CNN, MSNBC, Politico; Outlets Sue Over Access
President Trump barred CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House access over disputed coverage, prompting the outlets to notify the administration of a planned First Amendment lawsuit. Multiple outlets across the spectrum reported on the escalating conflict between the administration and major media organizations.
ICE Shoots Venezuelan DoorDash Driver in Austin Traffic Stop
An ICE officer shot and wounded a Venezuelan man during an enforcement operation in Austin amid ongoing protests against deportation policies. Coverage highlighted the incident as part of intensified immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
Tight Midterm Races Test Party Control With 43 Days Left
Democrats and Republicans are locked in tight contests for Senate control with 43 days until the midterms, as candidates navigate Trump-era issues and voter fatigue with past election claims. Fundraising, candidate quality, and state-level dynamics are shaping the battle for Congress.
Trump, Xi to Consider AI Safety Alerts and Trade Truce Extension
President Trump is set to host Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week amid ongoing trade, tariff, and security discussions, including signals on non-strategic goods and farm purchases. The meeting comes as both sides manage broader geopolitical tensions.
The Compass
You just read five takes on one story.
What's your take? Find your political shape in a few minutes.
Take the test