‘Home Alone 2’ director calls Trump cameo a burden he’d remove if he could: ‘I wish it was gone’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: More than three decades after 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' hit theaters, director Chris Columbus is opening up about a decision he now wishes he could undo.

In a candid interview with the San Francisco Chronicle published on April 14, Monday, Columbus revealed his lingering regret over including Donald Trump’s cameo in the 1992 holiday sequel.

He went as far as calling the brief appearance a “curse” and an “albatross” that has haunted the film.

The revelation comes after Trump claimed in 2023 that Columbus had “begged” him to be in the movie—a claim the director appears to now rebuff.

Chris Columbus reflects on Donald Trump cameo in 'Home Alone 2'

Director Chris Columbus is speaking out about a decision he now regrets: including Donald Trump’s cameo in the 1992 holiday classic 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.'

The seven-second appearance by Trump, who briefly interacts with a lost Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) inside the Plaza Hotel, has become, in Columbus' words, “a curse” and “an albatross.”

“I just wish it was gone,” Columbus admitted in a recent interview, adding that cutting the scene now would be met with backlash. “I can't cut it. If I cut it, I’ll probably be sent out of the country. I’ll be considered sort of not fit to live in the United States, so I’ll have to go back to Italy or something," he said.

At the time of filming, Trump owned the Plaza Hotel and, according to Columbus, essentially strong-armed his way into the movie.

Speaking to Business Insider in 2020, the director recalled, “We paid the fee, but he also said, ‘The only way you can use the Plaza is if I’m in the movie'."

During early screenings, audiences unexpectedly cheered Trump’s cameo, prompting Columbus to keep it.

“It’s a moment for the audience,” he explained, as per Variety.

That moment, however, has aged poorly. After Trump's political rise, the scene became a lightning rod for controversy. Fans have long campaigned for his removal, and even Culkin lent his support.

In 2021, the actor responded to a fan's tweet suggesting Trump be digitally replaced with a grown-up Culkin by replying, “Sold.”

'Home Alone 2' director's remarks on Donald Trump cameo spark mixed reactions

Following the 'Home Alone 2' director’s recent remarks expressing regret over Donald Trump’s cameo and his wish to remove it, social media users have been quick to weigh in with mixed reactions.

One user dismissed the criticism, writing, “Oh shut up, Chris. It made the movie what it is.”

Another commented on Facebook, “The movie was filmed in his hotel. Of course he was going to say, ‘Let me be in the movie or go film someplace else.’”

Supporters of Trump also chimed in. One shared, “God bless our wonderful president. My kids love seeing their president when we put this movie on. Best cameo ever!”

Others, however, sided with director Chris Columbus. “Yeah, I wish we could take that part out,” one person wrote, while another posted a GIF with the caption, “Can we edit that out?”

Despite the controversy, many viewers continue to praise the scene. “It’s the best part of the movie,” one fan commented.

Another added, “Great cameo,” while someone else simply said, “Loved that part.”

Donald Trump defends his ‘Home Alone 2’ cameo

Amid calls to remove his brief appearance from 'Home Alone 2', Donald Trump took to Truth Social in 2023 to defend his role—and criticize director Chris Columbus. In his post, Trump claimed Columbus had been “begging” him to be part of the 1992 sequel.

The post began, "30 years ago (how time flies!), Director Chris Columbus, and others, were begging me to make a cameo appearance in Home Alone 2. They rented the Plaza Hotel in New York, which I owned at the time."

“I was very busy, and didn’t want to do it,” Trump wrote. “They were very nice, but above all, persistent. I agreed, and the rest is history! That little cameo took off like a rocket, and the movie was a big success, and still is, especially around Christmas time. People call me whenever it is aired.”

Trump also added in the 2023 post, "Now, however, 30 years later, Columbus (what was his real name?) put out a statement that I bullied myself into the movie. Nothing could be further from the truth. That cameo helped make the movie a success … Just another Hollywood guy from the past looking for a quick fix of Trump publicity for himself!"

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