Maria Bartiromo’s attorney is forcefully disputing reports that Fox News fired the longtime television host, warning that evidence and witnesses could be produced in court even as the network says it has parted ways with her after more than 12 years.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Maria Bartiromo’s attorney pushed back Friday against reports that the veteran financial journalist was fired by Fox News, publicly challenging accounts of her departure one day after the network announced that her tenure with the company was ending immediately.
Bryan Freedman, an attorney known for representing prominent figures in entertainment and media disputes, said reports characterizing Bartiromo’s exit as a firing were false and warned that evidence supporting his client’s position could ultimately emerge through litigation. The dispute creates an unusual contrast between Fox’s announcement that it has parted ways with Bartiromo and her attorney’s insistence that reports saying she was fired or is no longer employed by Fox are inaccurate.
“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,” a spokesperson for Freedman said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times on Friday.
Freedman then suggested that news organizations or individuals publishing what he contends are inaccurate accounts of Bartiromo’s status could face further scrutiny.
“Make no mistake, we have the receipts and witnesses and they will come out whether through the courthouse or otherwise,” Freedman said.
He went further in criticizing coverage of the circumstances surrounding Bartiromo’s departure.
“Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth,” Freedman said.
Freedman previously represented Tucker Carlson after Carlson’s departure from Fox News in 2023. His other clients have included actors Vin Diesel, Seth Rogen and Julia Roberts.
The attorney’s statement came approximately a day after Fox News Media announced that it was parting ways with Bartiromo, ending a run that began in 2013 when she joined Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network after spending decades at CNBC.
Fox provided no detailed explanation for the decision.
“We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 ½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter,” Fox News Media said.
The company said Bartiromo’s departure would take effect immediately. Reuters also reported that Fox described the separation as a business decision without providing a specific reason.
Fox additionally announced programming changes affecting shows Bartiromo had hosted. Two programs were slated to receive new names and hosts in the coming days, while the network also selected a new host for “Sunday Morning Futures.”
Bartiromo herself has not publicly addressed the circumstances of the split, leaving Freedman’s statements as the principal public response from her side.
The conflicting descriptions have focused attention on the distinction between Fox’s declaration that it has “parted ways” with Bartiromo and reports characterizing the development as a firing. Freedman’s statement specifically disputes both claims that Bartiromo was fired and that she is no longer a Fox employee, while Fox has publicly said her departure from Fox News Media is effective immediately.
Bartiromo joined Fox after establishing herself as one of financial television’s most recognizable journalists during a lengthy career at CNBC. At Fox, she became a prominent presence across both the Fox Business Network and Fox News Channel, hosting programs focused on markets, business, politics and public affairs.
Her exit prompted a public reaction from President Donald Trump, who addressed the development in a Sept. 3 Truth Social post.
Trump called Bartiromo a “true warrior” and a “total professional” and said viewers of her Fox programs would not be happy about her departure.
The development also generated speculation about whether Bartiromo could move from television into a role in the Trump administration following the departure of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt last month.
Vice President JD Vance addressed that possibility during a White House press conference when he was asked whether Bartiromo might replace Leavitt.
“No, I don’t think so,” Vance responded.
Vance nevertheless spoke favorably about Bartiromo and described her as a friend. Reuters reported that he rejected speculation that she was in line to become the next White House press secretary.
Bartiromo’s departure represents one of the most prominent changes to Fox News’ on-air lineup since Carlson left the network in 2023.
Carlson had hosted the network’s highly rated prime-time program before his departure. Fox had previously separated from another longtime star, Bill O’Reilly, whose exit came after years as one of the channel’s best-known personalities.
Bartiromo’s own Fox career spanned more than 12 years following her move from CNBC, where she had spent decades covering financial markets and business news before expanding more heavily into political programming at Fox.
The immediate question surrounding her latest career move, however, is no longer simply where she will go next.
Freedman’s intervention has turned the circumstances of her separation from Fox into a dispute of its own. Fox has announced that the two sides have parted ways and that her departure is effective immediately, while Bartiromo’s attorney says accounts asserting that she was fired — or is no longer a Fox employee — are “absolutely and unequivocally false.”
Neither Bartiromo nor Fox had provided a further public explanation resolving that apparent discrepancy as of Friday. A previous request by The Epoch Times for comment from Bartiromo’s agency representatives was not returned Thursday, while a Fox News spokesperson did not immediately respond to the publication’s request for additional comment Friday.
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