The White House Called Fox News’ CEO to Complain About Bartiromo Firing

Administration officials conveyed to the network that the firing was “totally unacceptable,” White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said.

FOX News Bartiromo

President Donald Trump has defended Maria Bartiromo since her departure, calling her a “total professional” and “true warrior.” (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

A top adviser to President Donald Trump said this week that unnamed White House officials called Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott to complain following the network’s ouster of longtime personality Maria Bartiromo.

It’s the latest twist in a long and complicated relationship between the Trump-era White House and Fox News, and comes after reports suggested Bartiromo’s ouster was a result of her decision to share newsroom communications about coverage with the White House.

Peter Navarro, Trump’s senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, made the claim during an appearance Tuesday on Newsmax’s “Greg Kelly Reports.” He also claimed the incident was evidence that Fox News was suppressing pro-Trump coverage and had abandoned its role as a conservative agenda-setter.