It is with consternation and dismay that we learn of Fordham Gabelli School of Business' invitation to Maria  Bartiromo and Doreen Mogavero to host a March 4th webinar titled “Trailblazers: From the NYSE Floor to Breaking Glass Ceilings” as part of the school’s Centennial celebration.

At one time in her career Maria Bartiromo may have been a trailblazer breaking through glass ceilings, but most recently the trail she has blazed has led to shattered windows at the United States Capitol in an effort to intimidate (or even kidnap) the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and the Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence.

Bartiromo has been one of the most outspoken and influential supporters of Donald Trump's discredited, dangerous, and ultimately deadly election challenge. She was one of the first journalists to interview Trump after his loss, offering ongoing agreement and support for his assertions that the election was “rigged” and that Trump had in fact won. Her program was one of three later forced by her own network, Fox News, to play a fact-checking video on air to refute her claims. These charges of “election fraud” have targeted predominantly African American voters in places like Detroit, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, and predominantly Latinx voters in Maricopa County, Arizona. In other words, Bartiromo’s efforts fit into a long, well documented history of disenfranchising voters of color. It was no coincidence that many of those who stormed the Capitol to “stop the steal” that Bartiromo falsely claimed was happening were members of white supremacist groups.

In the immediate aftermath of the Capitol insurrection, Bartiromo interviewed Trump spokesman Peter Navarro and continued to repeat claims of election irregularities and outright fraud that had already been adjudicated and rejected in sixty court decisions, even by judges appointed by President Trump. As late as January 19, 2021 one day before the inauguration of President Biden, she falsely claimed that the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol was the work of leftists masquerading as Trump supporters rather than Trump’s own supporters on the extreme right.

Doreen Mogavero was also on board with Trump in the election fraud challenge. This is evident from her Twitter history, which shows her, for instance, defending MyPillow executive and prominent election liar Mike Lindell, again as late as January 19. She has also cheered on coronavirus skeptics such as Rick Santelli. Mogavero has multiple times retweeted figures such as Charlie Kirk, whose Turning Point USA has been linked by the Anti-Defamation League to “known extremists or extremist groups,” including white supremacists.

At this moment, the Capitol in Washington is still surrounded and guarded by National Guard troops. Their presence continues to be necessary because of the claims of irresponsible people like Maria Bartiromo and Doreen Mogavero.  On February 25, the Acting Chief of Capitol Police informed lawmakers, “Members of militia groups that were present on Jan. 6 have stated their desires that they want to blow up the Capitol and kill as many members as possible.” Given the dangerous circumstances, it is unwise and highly inappropriate for Fordham to provide a platform to people who have sought and continue to seek to undermine American democracy and its institutions.

We note that Fr. McShane quite rightly denounced the events of January 6, and that Fordham has put itself squarely behind calls for social justice, racial equity, and the defense of democracy. Social justice, racial equity, and democracy are precisely what Bartiromo and Mogavero have deliberately attempted to undermine. The Faculty Senate, to its credit, has passed a resolution reflecting concern both about the individuals invited and the process by which that occurred

We do not question the right of academic units and other groups at Fordham to invite speakers of all political perspectives that can contribute to the intellectual life of the community. However, the leadership of the university has special responsibility, in its statements, invitations, and events, to uphold Fordham’s principles and mission, including our commitment to academic integrity and transparency. Maria Bartiromo and Doreen Mogavero have placed themselves firmly in opposition to the university’s mission by actively and repeatedly spreading falsehoods that undermine American democracy.  The Fordham community deserves to see evidence from its leaders, including Dean Rapaccioli and Fr. McShane, that the university will separate itself from these two individuals’ words and actions, and that they will receive no approbation for their universally disproven claims from Fordham.

Original signatories:

W. David Myers, Professor of History & Faculty Senator

Jeanne Flavin, Professor of Sociology

Jeannine Hill Fletcher, Professor of Theology

Bradford Hinze, The Karl Rahner, S.J., Professor of Theology

Glenn Hendler, Professor of English and American Studies

James Kim, Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature

Orlando Rodriguez, Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Anthropology

Signing this petition is but one action we urge you to take.  
* Reach out directly to Dean Rapaccioli, Fr. McShane, and Provost Jacobs and tell them what you think. 
* Discuss this letter with your colleagues and representatives and within your academic units and other governing bodies (including college councils and senates), and  identify actions we might take to address these persistent concerns about integrity, governance, accountability, and justice at Fordham.

If you choose to sign this, please add your title and relation to Fordham in the "comments" box. E.g. "FCRH class of 2012" or "Associate Professor of Kinesiology" or "Parent of current student."