The Price of Admission: Trump’s Plaza and a Movie Role

Chris Columbus, the director of the beloved Christmas film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, has revealed he now views the brief scene featuring Donald Trump as a regrettable addition to the movie. The approximately seven-second cameo, which shows Trump giving directions to a young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) in the lobby of The Plaza Hotel, has become “a sort of curse,” according to Columbus.

The Plaza Hotel, at the time of filming, was owned by Trump. Columbus told the San Francisco Chronicle that securing the location came with a unique condition: “We paid the invoice, but he also said: you can only film here when I’m in the movie.” This quid pro quo, Columbus implies, was less than ideal.

Conflicting Narratives: Begging vs. Buisness

The story surrounding Trump’s involvement has been a point of contention for years. Trump has previously stated that Columbus “begged” him for the cameo, suggesting his presence was crucial to the film’s success. According to Trump, “it was his role that ensured that the film was a great success.“

Columbus vehemently denies this account. He stated that he would “never beg a non-actor to play in a movie.” His rationale was purely practical: “But we really wanted to film in the Plaza Hotel.” This highlights the pressures filmmakers sometimes face when dealing with powerful figures who control desirable locations.

“I Wish the Scene Was Gone”: A Director’s Lament

Columbus is now clear about his feelings: “I wish the scene was gone,” he told the American newspaper. However, he acknowledges the impracticality of removing it now. “I will probably be sent out of the country,” the director jokes, alluding to “The large-scale anti-immigration plans” from Trump’s government.

While seemingly a lighthearted comment, it reflects the increasingly polarized political climate in the U.S., where even seemingly innocuous pop culture elements can become highly charged.

Watch: The Infamous Trump Cameo

Here is the brief scene featuring Donald Trump in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York:

The lasting Impact and Lessons Learned

The controversy surrounding Trump’s cameo in Home Alone 2 raises important questions about the intersection of politics, entertainment, and power. While the scene itself is brief, it serves as a reminder of the influence that wealthy and powerful individuals can exert on the creative process. For U.S. audiences, it’s a especially resonant example as many remember the film’s original release coinciding with trump’s rise as a prominent New York City figure.

Moreover, the director’s regret highlights the potential for seemingly harmless decisions to take on new meanings and significance in retrospect, especially in the context of a changing political landscape. The ongoing debate surrounding the cameo demonstrates how even lighthearted entertainment can become enmeshed in broader cultural and political discussions in the U.S. This makes the film a talking point every holiday season.