Donald Trump calls Maria Bartiromo a ‘true warrior’ after Fox News exit, says he ‘can’t believe’ she is leaving and warns ‘her fans will not be happy’

US President Donald Trump has reacted to Maria Bartiromo’s departure from Fox News Media, praising the longtime television anchor as a “true warrior” and expressing surprise over the network’s decision to part ways with her.Trump, 80, shared his reaction on Truth Social on Thursday, September 3, shortly after Fox News Media confirmed Bartiromo’s exit. Praising her long-running association with the network, he highlighted her ratings success across multiple programmes.“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.”He added, “Her fans, of which there are many, will not be happy. God bless you, Maria!”Maria Bartiromo's long career in financial televisionBartiromo, 58, became a familiar face in financial news long before joining Fox. She first rose to prominence at CNBC, where she hosted programmes including Closing Bell and On the Money with Maria Bartiromo.She joined Fox in 2014 as Fox Business Network’s global markets editor and went on to become one of the network’s most prominent anchors.During her years at Fox, Bartiromo interviewed Trump several times and was also a co-moderator for two debates during the 2016 presidential election cycle.Fox confirms Bartiromo's departureFox News Media announced on Thursday that it had parted ways with Bartiromo, thanking her for her more than 12 years with the company.“We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 ½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter,” the network said.The company did not provide a reason for the change and said the decision was effective immediately.Bartiromo’s former morning programme is set to transition into Mornings with Fox Business from Friday, September 4. She last appeared on Fox Business Network on August 7 and Fox News on August 9.Her lawyer disputes reports that she was firedWhile Fox described the development as a parting of ways, Bartiromo’s lawyer Bryan Freeman pushed back against reports that she had been fired.“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,” Freeman said in a statement.He denied reports that Bartiromo had been fired and maintained that she remains an employee of Fox.Meanwhile, Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street is being renamed FBN’s Wall Street. Cheryl Casone will host the programme when it returns, with rotating anchors expected to take over thereafter.Fox announces further programming changesBartiromo’s departure comes as Fox prepares to make additional changes to its weekday programming schedule. The network is expected to announce a new Fox Business Network lineup in the coming weeks.Fox News Channel’s Sunday Morning Futures will also have Jason Chaffetz as host on Sunday, September 6, with a permanent new host to be announced later.The latest shake-up follows other high-profile exits from Fox. Around three years ago, Fox agreed to part ways with former prime-time host Tucker Carlson. In 2017, the network cut ties with Bill O’Reilly following sexual harassment allegations.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.