Maria Bartiromo has abruptly departed Fox News and Fox Business Network, ending a 12-and-a-half-year tenure with the broadcaster. Fox confirmed her exit in a short statement thanking her for her work, but gave no explanation for the sudden move, which echoes the network's unexpected removal of former primetime host Tucker Carlson. Fox typically maintains a stable on-air lineup, so any change tends to carry significance, particularly for a network that leads the US television news ratings.

Bartiromo's morning FBN programme, Mornings with Maria, aired for the final time on the day of the announcement and will be replaced by Mornings with Fox Business, fronted by rotating anchors from Friday. Her weekly Wall Street show will become FBN's Wall Street, hosted initially by Cheryl Casone before also moving to rotating presenters, while a new FBN weekday schedule is due to be unveiled shortly. Her Fox News Channel programme, Sunday Morning Futures, will be hosted this weekend by Jason Chaffetz pending a permanent replacement. Bartiromo joined Fox from CNBC in 2013, co-hosted a 2016 presidential debate and is known for her close ties to President Donald Trump, who has appeared on her show as recently as a few months ago.