Donald Trump’s cameo in the holiday classic Home Alone 2: Lost in New York didn’t happen by chance.
According to director Home Alone 2 Chris Columbus, the twice-impeached former president essentially negotiated his way into the film while he owned the Plaza Hotel.
Chris Columbus, who directed the sequel following the massive success of the original Home Alone starring Macaulay Culkin, revealed the details in an interview with Business Insider.
“In New York City, you typically pay a fee to film at a location, and that’s it. We approached The Plaza, but Trump said we could only use the space if he appeared in the movie,” Columbus explained. While the filmmakers paid the necessary fee, Trump insisted on a role in exchange for access to the hotel.
Initially, Columbus and his team were hesitant. But when they screened the movie for the first time, an unexpected reaction solidified Trump’s cameo. “The oddest thing happened,” Columbus shared. “People cheered when Trump appeared on-screen. I told my editor to leave him in—it became a fun moment for the audience. But make no mistake, he bullied his way into the movie.”
Released in 1992, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York followed Kevin McCallister (played by Culkin) as he accidentally ends up in New York City while his family vacations in Florida. The Plaza Hotel plays a central role in Kevin’s adventures as he fends off the Wet Bandits, who have escaped from prison and are after him once again.
Trump’s cameo remains one of the most talked-about moments from the film. What could have been a simple location agreement turned into an opportunity for Trump to put himself in front of the camera—true to his reputation for self-promotion.
