The director of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Chris Columbus, made accusations that the former president and businessman Donald Trump had pushed his way into the film.
Trump, however, denied the claims. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump corrected the record, saying that the production team of the movie begged him to make a cameo.
Trump clarified that they had rented his then-owned Plaza Hotel in New York. Their persistence persuaded him to agree, even though he was busy and at first hesitant. Trump emphasized the success of the cameo, pointing out how well-liked it is, particularly around Christmas, and mentioning how many people still get in touch with him every time the film is shown.
Chris Columbus’s statement on the matter
In the 1992 motion picture “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” Donald Trump appeared briefly in a scene that was filmed at the Plaza Hotel, which he at the time owned.
When Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, asked the former president how to get to the hotel lobby, he replied, “Down the hall, and to the left.” Following their conversation, Trump walked on and turned to see the young boy walking in the designated direction.
In 2020, this brief appearance gained widespread attention after the movie’s director, Chris Columbus, revealed to Business Insider that having Trump show up in the scene was a prerequisite for filming at the Plaza Hotel, on top of the customary payment.
“We paid the price, but he also said that it wouldn’t be possible to use the Plaza unless I was in the movie,” said Columbus. So we made the decision to have him in the movie. My editor heard me and said, “Leave him in the film.” This is an opportunity for the audience. He did, nevertheless, push his way into the movie.”
Donald Trump denies the statements
The filmmaker remembered how the crowd “cheered” whenever Donald Trump made an appearance during screenings.
But the business magnate disagreed with Chris Columbus’s purported version of events. The former president responded to a Business Insider report that reexamined the interview on Truth Social on December 27, 2023.
He continued, “Nothing could be further from the truth.” “That cameo made the movie successful, but if they thought I wasn’t supposed to be there or was being bullied, then why did they cast me and keep me there for over 30 years? The explanation is that I was and am excellent for the movie! Just another elderly Hollywood guy attempting to quickly gain notoriety for himself through Trump!”
Moviegoers and other internet users took offense at Donald Trump’s seeming self-praise, speculating that the cameo might not be as memorable as he thinks.
According to The New York Post, Macaulay Culkin plays a young child who is unintentionally left behind by his family and confronts burglars played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern in the Home Alone movies, which are well-known as a beloved comedy Christmas franchise worldwide.
According to the BBC, Donald Trump has made multiple cameo appearances in TV shows and motion pictures, including well-known ones like Zoolander, S*x and the City, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, and Two Weeks Notice. With a gross of $359 million (£280 million), the 1992 comedy Home Alone 2 was a huge hit, finishing as the third-highest-grossing movie of 1992, according to the BBC. Internet users have humorously responded to the business magnate’s denial of the charges, speculating that his cameo may not have been as well-received as he claims.
The classic holiday film “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” skillfully combines heartfelt moments with humor. This comedy masterpiece, starring the legendary Macaulay Culkin as the ever-resourceful Kevin McCallister, takes us on yet another crazy journey.
