Donald Trump ‘bullied’ his way into the 'Home Alone' sequel
Watch: Donald Trump bullied his way into Home Alone 2
Home Alone director Chris Columbus has revealed that Donald Trump “bullied” his way into a cameo in the film’s sequel, Lost In New York.
Columbus was asked about Trump’s appearance in 1992’s Home Alone 2: Lost In New York by Insider, admitting that he had to get the businessman’s permission to shoot in the lobby of the Plaza Hotel, because, at the time, Trump owned it.
Columbus said that they “wanted to shoot in the lobby” because it was impossible to recreate the extravagant entrance to the hotel “on a soundstage.”
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At first, everyone involved in the production of Home Alone 2: Lost In New York just assumed that they’d have to pay Trump a fee. But, as well as that, Trump said, “The only way you can use the Plaza is if I’m in the movie.”
Columbus agreed to his terms and then shot his cameo sequence. However he resisted the urge to cut Trump and the scene out of the movie because the first time that he showed Home Alone 2: Lost In New York to an audience they reacted uproariously.
“People cheered when Trump showed up on-screen,” Columbus declared. “So I said to my editor, ‘Leave him in the movie. It’s a moment for the audience.’ But he did bully his way into the movie.”
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Home Alone 2: Lost In New York is far from the only film that features a cameo from the future President of the United States, though. He also appeared in Ghosts Can’t Do It, 54, Celebrity, Zoolander, Two Weeks Notice, and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.