Maria Bartiromo’s Potential Next Move Surprises After Her Shockingly Abrupt Fox News Departure

Report: Maria Bartiromo’s Potential Next Move Surprises After Her Shockingly Abrupt Fox News Departure

A high-profile shift may be underway in television news, as financial journalism veteran Maria Bartiromo reportedly enters talks that could land her at a rival network. 

Sources indicate discussions have begun between Bartiromo and CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, with a coveted position on “60 Minutes” reportedly on the table.

The development, first detailed in Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice newsletter, arrives at a pivotal moment for Bartiromo’s career. 

An insider close to the situation characterized her approach as decisive and forward-looking rather than defeated.

“Maria and Bari have already spoken,” the source told Shuter. “Maria isn’t sitting around licking her wounds. She’s moving fast, and 60 Minutes is absolutely in the mix.”

This news follows closely behind a jarring announcement from Fox News Media, which confirmed on Sept. 3 that Bartiromo’s tenure with the company had ended after more than a dozen years. 

The network’s statement was brief and offered little explanation.

“Effective today, Maria Bartiromo is no longer with FOX News Media,” Fox announced.

The network’s farewell message struck a cordial tone despite the abruptness of the split. “We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 ½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter,” Fox stated.

Behind the scenes, however, additional details emerged about the nature of her exit. 

A Fox spokesperson privately described the situation as a “business decision,” and Axios later reported that a network representative confirmed business reasons drove the termination.

That version of events has been aggressively contested by Bartiromo’s camp. Attorney Bryan Freedman issued a pointed rebuttal, flatly rejecting any suggestion that his client had been dismissed.

“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 declared.

Freedman signaled that further evidence would surface to support his position, hinting at possible legal action. 

“Make no mistake, we have the receipts and witnesses and they will come out whether through the courthouse or otherwise,” he said.

His statement also took direct aim at journalists covering the story. 

“Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth,” Freedman said.

Complicating the narrative further is an allegation raised separately by the outlet Status, which claimed Bartiromo had passed along confidential Fox editorial guidance to the White House related to coverage of President Donald Trump. 

Fox’s official statements about her departure made no mention of this alleged leak as a contributing factor.

Amid the swirl of conflicting accounts, Bartiromo’s professional ambitions appear undiminished. 

According to Shuter’s reporting, she remains determined to stay “a major player” within the television industry, with the CBS conversations reflecting that ambition.

No formal offer or agreement between Bartiromo and CBS has been made public. Still, the insider suggested her appeal to networks lies in the powerful relationships she has cultivated throughout her career.

“Maria brings something Bari understands is valuable: access,” the source explained, pointing to her ability to reach “CEOs, billionaires, political power players and Wall Street titans.”

Bartiromo’s career trajectory has long been defined by deep access to financial and political power centers. 

She first gained national recognition at CNBC before making the jump to Fox in 2014, where she went on to anchor three distinct programs spanning both Fox News and Fox Business.

“Maria believes she still belongs at the biggest table in television. There is no bigger table than 60 Minutes,” the insider added.

CBS is far from the only subject of speculation swirling around Bartiromo’s future plans. Her name has also surfaced as a potential candidate to succeed Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary.

That particular rumor was swiftly addressed by Vice President JD Vance during a White House briefing on Sept. 3. “I don’t know, man. 

No, I don’t think so,” Vance responded when asked, though he offered kind words about Bartiromo and noted he had not spoken with her directly about her Fox exit.

President Trump also publicly addressed the situation, using his Truth Social platform to praise Bartiromo’s career following news of her Fox departure. 

His remarks conveyed clear admiration for her body of work.

“I can’t believe Maria Bartiromo is no longer going to have her great show(s) on FoxNews/Business,” Trump wrote. “Three different shows, always number one. Maria is a total professional, and a true warrior.”

As the competing narratives continue to unfold, neither CBS nor Bartiromo has confirmed details of any prospective arrangement. 

The circumstances surrounding her Fox exit remain a matter of dispute, with her legal team and the network offering starkly different accounts of what transpired.

Continue Scrolling for the Comments