Jon Stewart finally offered some more insight into why he’s leaving The Daily Show.
He opened his show Wednesday with clips of Republicans reacting to the news of his departure, many of them accusing him of distorting facts. After challenging Fox News to a “lie-off” and playing clips of some of Rush Limbaugh’s more controversial comments, including calling a girl a slut and saying white people shouldn’t feel guilt for slavery, Stewart got to the meat of his argument.
“Take it from someone who’s been watching what they do for a blessedly almost over 16 years or so,” he said. “Their chronically angry war for ideological purity, where every aspect of life becomes a two dimensional battle for America’s soul—it ages you. Even watching it is killing me.”
Watch the full clip below:
See Jon Stewart's Most Memorable Guests On The Daily Show
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Write to Tessa Berenson Rogers at tessa.Rogers@time.com