Fox News anchor and Donald Trump ally Maria Bartiromo has left the Murdoch-controlled broadcaster after 12½ years, marking one of the network's biggest shake-ups since Tucker Carlson's departure three years ago. Bartiromo, who joined Fox in 2014 after a long CNBC career, hosted shows including Sunday Morning Futures and Maria Bartiromo's Wall Street until her absence from air began in early August. President Trump expressed support on Truth Social, praising her professionalism and talent. Fox News thanked her for her contributions without disclosing exit reasons. Her departure follows legal issues including citations in Dominion Voting Systems' $1.6bn defamation suit over 2020 election fraud claims, which Fox settled for $787.5mn in April 2023. She is also named in an ongoing Smartmatic lawsuit. This summer, Fox apologized after controversial comments made on her show regarding Chinese government proxies. Bartiromo's exit reportedly stemmed from sharing editorial decisions with the White House about Trump's claims. Vice-president JD Vance commented on potential White House roles, stating he doesn't believe she would become press secretary. Former Fox personalities Pete Hegseth, Jeanine Pirro, and others have entered the Trump administration.

Bartiromo was appointed to the Kennedy Center board last year and remains close to Trump's inner circle. Social media speculation suggests possible administration roles, though no appointments are confirmed.