Though it seems like he took the reins of The Daily Show a short time ago, Trevor Noah will call it quits as host of the satirical news program.

Noah has been host of the show since 2015, when he took over after Jon Stewart left the show. Stewart had hosted the show since 1999 and his departure left a void in the late night firmament that Noah, who moved to the United States in 2011 and was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, filled admirably.

In a video statement shared on Twitter Thursday, Noah said that after seven years as host of the Comedy Central satirical news program, his “time is up.” Noah indicated that he would like to devote more time to stand-up comedy.

“It’s been absolutely amazing. It’s something that I never expected,” Noah said of his experience hosting the show. “I found myself thinking throughout the time of everything we’ve gone through. The Trump presidency, the pandemic, just the journey, more pandemic and I realize that after the seven years, my time is up.”

Noah quickly established himself with his own comedic – and millennial-era – perspective, suited for a changing medium where online influence was often more impactful than of broadcast television.

His reign on The Daily Show required him to cover some crucial moments in American history, beginning with the Trump presidency and encompassing such diverse stories as the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in a suspension of recording in-studio, along with the Black Lives Matter movement and the 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol.

“I spent two years in my apartment (during Covid-19), not on the road. Stand-up was done, and when I got back out there again, I realized that there’s another part of my life that I want to carry on exploring,” Noah told his studio audience late on Thursday. 

“I’ve loved hosting this show. It’s been one of my greatest challenges. It’s been one of my greatest joys. I’ve loved trying to figure out how to make people laugh even when the stories are particularly shitty on the worst days,” he continued.

“We are grateful to Trevor for our amazing partnership over the past seven years.  With no timetable for his departure, we’re working together on next steps,” the network said in a statement. “As we look ahead, we’re excited for the next chapter in the 25+ year history of The Daily Show as it continues to redefine culture through sharp and hilarious social commentary, helping audiences make sense of the world around them.”

The network has not indicated if they have begun to consider a replacement, and Noah has not yet set a departure date.