Donald Trump has fired back at the rumors that landed him his Home Alone 2 cameo.
Chris Columbus' initial claims
Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump responded to claims that he essentially bullied his way into Home Alone 2. A few years ago, director Chris Columbus claimed that Trump wouldn't allow them to film in the Plaza Hotel unless he was in it.
“We approached the Plaza Hotel, which Trump owned at the time, because we wanted to shoot in the lobby. We couldn't rebuild The Plaza on a soundstage,” Columbus recalled to Business Insider in 2020. “Trump said OK. We paid the fee, but he also said, ‘The only way you can use the Plaza is if I'm in the movie.'”
They ended up including Trump in a brief cameo. Columbus also recalled that when they screened the film, Trump's cameo was met with cheers.
Trump's retort
Regardless, Trump fired back at these claims. In his Truth Social post (via Discussing Film), Trump claims he didn't want to be in Home Alone 2.
“30 years ago (how time flies!), Director Chris Columbus, and others, were begging me to make a cameo appearance in Home Alone 2,” Trump claimed. “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. 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 continued. “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.”
He then claims that while the cameo “helped make the movie a success,” they didn't need to have him in there. “But if they felt bullied, or didn't want me, why did they put me in, and keep me there, for over 30 years?” He answers his own question, claiming that he's “great” for the movie.
His statement concludes by claiming Columbus is just looking for clout. “Just another Hollywood guy from the past looking for a quick fix of Trump publicity for himself!” Trump concluded.
Home Alone 2 was a massive success, even with Donald Trump's cameo. The film made over $350 million worldwide and was a worthy follow-up to its predecessor. Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern all returned in the sequel.
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