Background on Bartiromo’s Departure

Fox News announced Thursday that Bartiromo’s last day was Thursday, after the anchor had been with the network for more than 12 years. The network did not provide a reason for her departure. According to Status News, Bartiromo was allegedly ousted after sharing internal communications from Fox executives with the White House. Bartiromo’s show, Mornings With Maria, was a long-running program on Fox.

Legal Representation and Past Cases

Bryan Freedman, who recently represented Justin Baldoni in a high-profile case against Blake Lively, has a history of defending high-profile media personalities. He has also represented journalists Don Lemon, Chris Cuomo, Tucker Carlson, and Megyn Kelly after their departures from their respective networks. Freedman claims Bartiromo is still employed by Fox and suggests that the matter may be pursued in court.

“For many years, Maria Bartiromo hosted three number-one-rated television shows on Fox channels. She has been, without question, one of the hardest-working journalists throughout her award-winning career,” Freedman said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

According to The Guardian, Bartiromo was taken off the air after sharing internal Fox communications regarding a directive to avoid covering a July primetime address by former President Donald Trump. That address included unproven and false claims about the 2020 election. Status News reported that Bartiromo’s actions violated company policy.

Speculation About New Role

With the recent announcement that Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, would be stepping down at the end of August, some have speculated that Bartiromo might be tapped to step into the role. According to The Guardian, several former Fox News employees are now working in the Trump administration, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

After news broke of her departure, Trump posted: ‘I can’t believe Maria Bartiromo is no longer going to have her great show(s) on FoxNews/Business.’

Fox’s original statement said: ‘Effective today, Maria Bartiromo is no longer with FOX News Media.’ A Fox spokesperson reiterated the original statement, saying: ‘The release speaks for itself.’

Freedman also accused media outlets of ‘a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth’ in reporting that Bartiromo was fired. He added: ‘We have the receipts and witnesses and they will come out whether through the courthouse or otherwise.’

The situation remains unresolved as both sides continue to assert their positions. Bartiromo, a 12-year Fox News veteran, has been a prominent figure on the network and a frequent Trump supporter in her on-air commentary.