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Court Files Reveal Maria Bartiromo Earned Over $70M at Fox as Smartmatic Case Moves Forward

03:15 PM, 11/25/2025
Court Files Reveal Maria Bartiromo Earned Over $70M at Fox as Smartmatic Case Moves Forward

Unsealed court records in Smartmatic’s $2.7 billion defamation suit show Maria Bartiromo earned over $70 million during her time at Fox, according to her deposition. Bartiromo, named in the 2021 complaint, is accused of amplifying false 2020 election claims. The filings also include messages from Steve Bannon urging her to run for Senate and an email from Rupert Murdoch defending the network’s coverage. A judge denied Fox’s request to pause the case, keeping the litigation on schedule.

Newly unsealed court records in the $2.7 billion defamation suit brought by voting‑machine company Smartmatic reveal that Maria Bartiromo received more than $70 million over her years at Fox, according to her deposition in the case.

Bartiromo, 58, anchors Sunday Morning Futures on Fox News and co‑hosts Mornings with Maria on Fox Business. She is named as a defendant in Smartmatic’s 2021 lawsuit, which alleges that several on‑air personalities and guests amplified false claims that Smartmatic interfered in the 2020 presidential election.

Key disclosures from the filings

Pay disclosures: The deposition excerpts show Bartiromo’s total compensation at Fox exceeded $70 million over her tenure there.

On‑air conduct: Court filings note that Bartiromo conducted the president’s first post‑election interview in 2020, during which he asserted the election was "a fraud" and "rigged." Rather than challenge those claims with documented evidence, Bartiromo echoed his concern, saying, "This is disgusting and we cannot allow America’s election to be corrupted."

Behind‑the‑scenes messages: The records include a November 2020 text from former White House strategist Steve Bannon urging Bartiromo to run for the U.S. Senate against Chuck Schumer in New York: "We want you to run against Schumer. This is your moment." The filings also include an email from Rupert Murdoch defending the network’s election coverage amid backlash, stating that the outlets were proud of their reporting and had urged the former president to accept the result.

Personal ties: The filings reference Bartiromo’s continued ties with the former president, including a reported White House dinner in April and a subsequent social‑media post in which she thanked him for "your leadership, friendship, and protection of this great nation."

Court status and responses

A New York state judge denied Fox’s request to pause the Smartmatic litigation. Fox had sought a stay after criminal charges were brought against Smartmatic in a separate federal matter. With the denial, the civil case will proceed on schedule.

In response to the ruling, Fox News Media said it disagrees with the decision to deny a pause and emphasized it intends to defend its reporting and First Amendment rights at summary judgment and trial. Smartmatic described the ruling as an important step toward holding the network and named individuals accountable for what the company calls false reporting and the harms that followed.

The unsealed records provide a clearer view of internal communications and financial disclosures as the long‑running dispute moves toward further litigation. The case remains active, and key evidentiary and legal battles are expected to continue as both sides prepare for the next phases of the lawsuit.

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