Washington (CNN)To gauge Jon Stewart's impact on American politics, try to imagine a presidential election without him. The last time that happened was in 1996 when Bill Clinton faced off against Bob Dole. "The Daily Show" host's hordes of millennial fans and political junkies will soon find out what a sans-Stewart election is like as they pick their way through the spin, obfuscations and outrages of the 2016 race without him. Stewart, sometimes known as "The Most Trusted Name in Fake News," made the surprising announcement on Tuesday that he would quit the Comedy Central hit before the end of the year after 16 years behind his desk.
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Stewart hanging up mic after 16 years
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He carved out unique role at intersection of real and fake news
A year later, Stewart helped teach @placeholder to laugh again in the harrowing weeks after the terror attacks.