Jon Stewart announces retirement from ‘The Daily Show’

Jon Stewart, longtime host of the satirical TV news program “The Daily Show,” said he will step down from the post when his contract expires later this year. The news broke over social media on Tuesday evening after the comedian told a studio audience of his impending retirement during a taping of the show. Members of the audience posted the news on Twitter and Instagram.

Comedy Central President Michele Ganeless confirmed the news to Capital New York in a statement.

“For the better part of the last two decades, I have had the incredible honor and privilege of working with Jon Stewart,” Ganeless said. “Through his unique voice and vision, ‘The Daily Show’ has become a cultural touchstone for millions of fans and an unparalleled platform for political comedy that will endure for years to come. Jon will remain at the helm of ‘The Daily Show’ until later this year.”

In recent years, former “correspondents” on the show have ascended to host satirical news programs of their own. Most recently, Comedy Central had former “Daily Show” cast member Larry Willmore take the slot occupied by Stephen Colbert — another alum from the show — on the network immediately after “The Daily Show” after Colbert accepted an offer to replace outgoing late night talk show host David Letterman.

Stewart, meanwhile, has branched out into other projects. Most recently, he directed the film “Rosewater.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly named the Comedy Central president as 'Michael Ganeless' not 'Michele Ganeless'.