THE SCREENSHOT THAT PULLED THE PLUG: MICHAEL LEVINE EXPLAINS MARIA BARTIROMO’S FOX EXIT Michael Levine, America’s leading media expert and founder of Boundless Media USA, says Maria Bartiromo’s departure from Fox News offers a lesson about trust, judgment, and the line between journalism and political advocacy. Fox News has described Bartiromo’s exit after more than 12 years as a “business decision,” without disclosing a reason. However, media reports, citing sources familiar with the matter, say the anchor wanted to pursue a story involving China and conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 presidential election—a sensitive subject for Fox because of its Dominion settlement and Smartmatic litigation. According to those reports, a Fox Business executive texted producers that the proposed story could not air. Bartiromo allegedly captured a screenshot of that direction and forwarded it to White House officials. Network leaders learned of the disclosure after receiving a call from the Whi...