“MAGDA” means “Make America Great Depression Again” in an Saturday Night Live cold open broadcast April 5, 2025. James Austin Johnson delivers the line while playing Donald Trump; it is parody dialogue, not a verified statement by Trump. The joke turns tariff messaging about making America wealthy into an exaggerated warning of economic hardship.
What does MAGDA mean on SNL?
In the sketch, Johnson’s Trump character first says tariffs will make America wealthy again, then pivots to the punchline: “We’re gonna do MAGDA – Make America Great Depression Again.” CNN’s transcript renders the line as: “But before that, we’re going to do MAGDA. MAGDA. Make America Great Depression Again.” Both versions are dialogue from the impersonated character, not words attributable to Trump himself.
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The humor comes from the contrast: a familiar promise of national prosperity is turned into a deliberately bleak outcome. The line is satire, not an economic forecast or evidence that a depression will occur.
Which SNL sketch said it?
The line appears in the April 5, 2025 SNL cold open, which parodies the tariff announcement and how it was presented. Johnson’s character discusses tariffs alongside a large cardboard breakdown of countries and tariff percentages. Mike Myers appears later in the cold open as Elon Musk.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteJack Black hosted the episode, with Elton John and Brandi Carlile as musical guests. TheWrap reported on the segment that evening, and The Guardian recapped it the following day.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you watch the sketch?
TheWrap’s report and The Guardian’s recap identify the segment and provide routes to its video. Current streaming availability and regional access can change, so check the linked pages or your local listings for an up-to-date viewing option.
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