White House Officials Reportedly Contacted Fox News CEO Regarding Maria Bartiromo's Departure

A senior adviser to former President Donald Trump stated this week that unnamed White House officials contacted Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott to express concerns following the network's termination of longtime host Maria Bartiromo. This incident highlights the complex relationship between the Trump administration and Fox News. Peter Navarro, Trump's senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, made these claims during an appearance on Newsmax’s "Greg Kelly Reports." He suggested that Bartiromo's firing was linked to her sharing internal communications regarding coverage with the White House. Navarro stated, "Suffice it to say that Suzanne Scott got a call, and basically the White House let her know that that kind of thing is totally unacceptable." He further asserted that this incident indicates Fox News is limiting pro-Trump coverage and has deviated from its role as a conservative network. Bartiromo was reportedly let go after over 12 years at Fox, with the network describing her departure as a "business decision" without providing specific details. Navarro mentioned that Bartiromo had intended to interview him about Trump's speech on July 16, which discussed unverified claims of Chinese interference in the 2020 election. He claimed that Bartiromo sent internal guidance to Fox Business staff advising against promoting the speech or discussing the 2020 election, which he relayed to White House officials. Bartiromo's attorney, Bryan Freedman, has denied that she was fired, calling the reports "absolutely and unequivocally false." Navarro criticized Scott, claiming she is enforcing restrictions on Trump-related coverage. Fox News has faced legal challenges regarding its reporting on the 2020 election, with Bartiromo named in lawsuits alleging the promotion of false claims about voting-machine companies. The network settled a lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million in 2023, while a separate case with Smartmatic is still ongoing. Trump has publicly supported Bartiromo, referring to her as a "total professional" and "true warrior." Navarro characterized Bartiromo's exit as a sign that Fox is distancing itself from key issues relevant to Trump and his supporters, stating, "The muzzling of Maria Bartiromo by Fox News Media Chief Executive Suzanne Scott should be a wake-up call to every Fox viewer who believes the network is pro-Trump and pro-MAGA."