Home Alone 2 Director Chris Columbus Regrets Donald Trump Cameo: Calls It a ‘Curse’ and ‘Albatross’

April 16, 2025 | Entertainment – Newsaffair360

Home Alone 2 director Chris Columbus regrets Donald Trump’s cameo, calling it a “curse” and “albatross.” He claims Trump forced his way into the movie for a scene in the Plaza Hotel.

Over 30 years after its release, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York continues to charm audiences—but one particular scene involving former U.S. President Donald Trump has now become a source of regret for the film’s director, Chris Columbus.

In a recent interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Columbus opened up about the now-famous Trump cameo, calling it a “curse” and an “albatross” on the beloved holiday classic. “It’s become this thing that I wish was not there. I just wish it was gone,” Columbus admitted.

Trump’s Cameo Was a Condition for Filming

Trump appears in a brief, seven-second scene where Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Culkin) asks for directions inside the Plaza Hotel, which Trump owned at the time. Trump’s line—“Down the hall and to the left”—has become iconic, but according to Columbus, it wasn’t originally part of the plan.

The director previously shared in a 2023 Business Insider interview that Trump allegedly bullied his way into the film. “We were desperate to get the Plaza Hotel, and the condition was that Trump had to be in the movie,” Columbus said.

Although Columbus considered removing the scene, he explained, “If I cut it, I’d probably be sent out of the country. People would think I’m un-American. I’d have to go back to Italy or something.”

Audience Reaction vs. Director’s Regret

At the time of the film’s release, Trump’s cameo was surprisingly well-received. Columbus recalled, “When we screened it for the first time, people actually cheered when Trump appeared. So I told my editor to leave the scene in—it was a moment for the audience.”

However, that decision has since become one Columbus regrets. Despite backlash and evolving public opinion, the scene has remained in the film for over three decades.

Trump Denies Forcing His Way In

In response to Columbus’ claims, Trump denied any wrongdoing. In a 2023 statement, he said, “That cameo helped make the movie a success. If they felt bullied or didn’t want me, why did they keep the scene in for more than 30 years?”

To this, Columbus replied, “There’s no world in which I would beg a non-actor to be in a movie. We just really needed the Plaza.”

About Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Released in 1992, Home Alone 2 is the sequel to the 1990 classic Home Alone. Directed by Chris Columbus, the film stars Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Tim Curry, Catherine O’Hara, and Brenda Fricker. The story follows young Kevin as he accidentally boards a plane to New York City instead of Florida, where he encounters the escaped Wet Bandits once again.