During the filming of the 1992 family film “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” then-real estate mogul Donald Trump secured a brief cameo by insisting on it as a condition for the use of The Plaza Hotel, according to director Chris Columbus.
The Plaza, located in New York City and owned by Trump at the time, was an essential setting for the movie’s storyline, which follows young Kevin McCallister, portrayed by actor Macaulay Culkin, on his misadventures in the Big Apple.
Columbus, in various interviews, has shared the behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to Trump’s screen moment, saying that in most shooting locations in Manhattan, you pay to film. However, for The Plaza Hotel, Trump had a special request. He insisted that he be in the movie. This requirement came as a surprise to the production team, but they acquiesced to Trump’s terms. Upon the film’s initial screening, Trump’s appearance was met with audience cheers, prompting Columbus to retain the cameo in the final cut despite his unconventional method of inclusion.
“Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” released two years after its successful predecessor, has since become a staple of holiday film viewing. The sequel’s enduring popularity is often attributed to its humorous portrayal of Kevin’s ingenious methods to fend off the bumbling ‘Wet Bandits’ while separated from his family during the Christmas season.
Trump’s role in “Home Alone 2” was not an isolated instance of his cameos in the entertainment industry. Prior to his presidency, he made appearances in various other films and television shows, often requiring a role in productions that sought to film at his properties. Such was the case with the 1992 film “Scent of a Woman,” where a similar condition was set, although his scene was ultimately omitted from the final release.
The incident with “Home Alone 2” reflects a pattern of Trump’s interactions in business and media, where he frequently sought to leverage his assets for personal publicity. The episode also highlights the intersection of entertainment and real estate power dynamics, especially in a city like New York, where location can be as crucial as the script itself.
Despite the controversy surrounding his methods, Trump’s cameo has become one of the many memorable moments of “Home Alone 2,” contributing to the film’s legacy as a holiday classic.