Donald Trump made a seven-second cameo in the 1992 Christmas classic Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, surprising many viewers. Although this appearance came decades before he became President of the United States, Trump was already a well-known media personality and businessman. He owned the Plaza Hotel from 1988 to 1995, which was the primary reason he ended up in the film.
Why Trump Appeared in the Film
The Plaza Hotel serves as a key location in the iconic Christmas film. Director Chris Columbus revealed in a 2020 interview with Business Insider that he wasn't prepared to refuse when Trump reportedly asked to appear. Columbus stated that the now-US president, who turns 80 today (June 14), requested a cameo in addition to the standard fee for filming at the hotel.
“We paid the fee, but he also said ‘the only way you can use the Plaza is if I'm in the movie’,” Columbus said. “So we agreed to put him in the movie.”
Audience Reaction and Claims of Bullying
Trump's appearance prompted “cheers” from audiences during screenings, with Columbus noting that the cameo became a “moment” for fans. However, he added that Trump “did bully his way into the movie.” This claim was dismissed by Trump in 2023, who said “nothing could be further from the truth.”
Trump alleged that he didn't want to do it but filmmakers were keen for him to appear. Taking to his Truth Social platform in December 2023, he wrote: “I was very busy, and didn't want to do it. 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.”
He added: “If they felt bullied, or didn't want me, why did they put me in, and keep me there, for over 30 years? Because I was, and still am, great for the movie, that's why!”
The Scene and Subsequent Cameos
In the film, Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, bumps into Trump in the hotel and asks for directions to the lobby. “Down the hall and to the left,” Trump says in the brief clip. His cameo in Home Alone 2 was followed by appearances in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Sex and the City, and Zoolander.
