MSNBC's Chris Matthews on Monday announced he is retiring effective immediately. Monday's episode of "Hardball" will be the last.

"Let me start with my headline tonight. I'm retiring. This is the last 'Hardball' on MSNBC and, obviously, this isn't for a lack of interest in politics," Matthews explained. "As you can tell, I've loved every minute of my 20 years as host of 'Hardball.' Every morning I read the papers and I'm gung-ho to get to work. Not many people have had this privilege."

According to the host, he has enjoyed his time working with producers to decide the angle and point of view to take on stories, as well as meeting fans on the street.

"After conversations with MSNBC, I've decided tonight will be my last 'Hardball,' so let me tell you why. The younger generation is out there, ready to take the reins. We see them in politics, in media and fighting for their causes. They're improving the workplace. We're talking here about better standards than we grew up with. Fair standards," he explained. "A lot of it has to do with how we talk to each other. Compliments on a woman's appearance that some men, including me, might have once incorrectly thought were okay, were never okay. For making such comments in the past, I'm sorry."

Matthews went on to recite his resume and say he's not done with politics. He plans to continue writing and commenting on the day's happenings.

Chris Matthews announces — on a Monday — he’s retiring and that today’s “Hardball” will be the last.



"After my conversation with NBC, I decided tonight will be my last Hardball. I’ll tell you why. The younger generations are ready to take the reigns." pic.twitter.com/Y3HV9Qy35l — Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 3, 2020

Matthews has come under fire for trashing Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and comparing Sanders winning the Nevada Caucuses to the Nazi conquest of France. Democrats were so upset by what he said that they took to Twitter to demand MSNBC fire Matthews or the "Hardball" host resigned.

Once conservatives learned of the news, they were thrilled. After all, we've heard Matthews' "hot takes" for years.

I'm pretty upset about Chris Matthews leaving MSNBC. No more combing hair with shoes. No more coming in there all rumpled. No more weird stream of consciousness monologues. The world lost something today. A little happiness. A little joy. pic.twitter.com/dpt9mChHtJ — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) March 3, 2020

RIP my Chris Matthews impersonation. May God speed you to a better place, old friend. — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) March 3, 2020

It appears the woke commies got Chris Matthews pic.twitter.com/Kl72zrc5Bu — Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) March 3, 2020

Announce your retirement in the beginning of your show and not even finish the rest of the hour.



Chris Matthews is a legend for this. https://t.co/DzRnj2caav — Siraj Hashmi ?? (@SirajAHashmi) March 3, 2020