Maria Bartiromo's lawyer Bryan Freedman denies that she was fired from Fox News, stating that reports of her departure are "absolutely and unequivocally false". This contradicts a statement made by Fox News Media on Thursday, which announced that it had parted ways with Bartiromo without providing further details. According to Freedman, his team has evidence and witnesses that will come forward to support this claim. Fox News Media did not comment beyond pointing to its original press release.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Maria Bartiromo, a well-known anchor at Fox News and Fox Business, has been the subject of confusion over her employment status. According to a Thursday statement from Fox News Media, Bartiromo was no longer with the company, effective immediately. However, her lawyer Bryan Freedman quickly denied these reports, stating that they are "absolutely and unequivocally false". Freedman claimed that Bartiromo is still employed at Fox, citing her many years of successful hosting on three top-rated shows: "Mornings with Maria", "Maria Bartiromo's Wall Street", and "Sunday Morning Futures". He also threatened potential legal action against those who have reported her firing. The reason for the initial confusion is unclear, but it has sparked widespread attention in the media industry.
Written for “Maria Bartiromo Fired Dispute” on 2026-09-05,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score +0.35 for article 4014 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-04
Maria Bartiromo’s lawyer on Friday said that the Fox News and Fox Business anchor was not fired from the company where she worked for more than 12 years.
asserted
she → say → years
“For many years, Maria Bartiromo hosted three No. 1-rated television shows on Fox channels,” said Bryan Freedman, Bartiromo’s attorney.
asserted
Freedman → host → channels
On Thursday, Fox abruptly announced in a statement that it had parted ways with Bartiromo, without offering any further details or context.
asserted
it → announce → details
The last episode of Bartiromo’s daily Fox Business show aired on Thursday.
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episode → air → Thursday
On Friday, those hours of programming came on the air with the same titles and graphics, but without Bartiromo’s name in them.
asserted
hours → come → them
“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,” Freedman said Friday.
asserted
Freedman → publish → Fox
“Make no mistake, we have the receipts and witnesses and they will come out whether through the courthouse or otherwise.”
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they → make → courthouse
He added: “Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth.”
asserted
Those → add → truth
A Fox News Media representative, when asked about Freedman’s statement, said the company’s press release about parting ways with Bartiromo “speaks for itself.”
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release → ask → itself
Before Freedman’s statement, on Thursday night the Status media industry newsletter reported that Bartiromo was fired after she had shared with the White House guidance from Fox management about claims made by President Donald Trump about recent elections.
uncertain
she → report → elections
The New York Times and Wall Street Journal also reported later Thursday that she was dismissed after sharing internal Fox communications with the White House.
asserted
she → report → House
NBC News has not verified those reports.
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News → verify → reports
Immediately following Fox’s announcement on Thursday, Bartiromo’s bio and show pages were wiped from Fox’s websites.
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bio → follow → websites
Bartiromo had been Fox Business’ global markets editor since joining the channel in 2014.
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Bartiromo → join → 2014
On Fox Business, she hosted “Mornings with Maria” on weekdays and “Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street” on Fridays, while also anchoring “Sunday Morning Futures,” a business-focused show on the larger Fox News Channel.
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she → host → Channel
For years, Fox News Media touted Bartiromo’s shows at ratings winners.
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Media → tout → winners
She joined Fox after a trailblazing 21-year career at CNBC, where she hosted “Closing Bell,” a cornerstone of the business network’s programming.
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she → join → programming
Bartiromo drew attention for taking a more openly conservative turn in her reporting at Fox after leaving CNBC, where her work had been largely apolitical.
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work → draw → CNBC
She also became very close to Trump, who appointed her to the board of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.
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who → become → Arts
The center’s website still lists her as a board member as of Friday afternoon.
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website → list → afternoon
In 2021, Bartiromo’s comments and shows were cited as exhibits in a defamation lawsuit filed by the voting machine maker Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News.
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comments → cite → News
Dominion alleged that the cable network operator had knowingly broadcast false claims that Dominion had rigged the 2020 presidential election.
uncertain
Dominion → allege → election
Fox News eventually agreed to pay $787 million in a settlement with Dominion.
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News → agree → Dominion
Another voting machine firm, Smartmatic, also filed suit against Fox in 2021, naming Bartiromo as a co-defendant.
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firm → file → defendant
