Chris Columbus says he fears backlash if his Trump cameo in Home Alone 2 is removed.
Chris Columbus, who directed Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, has talked candidly about his long-standing remorse over former President Donald Trump’s fleeting cameo in the beloved 1992 holiday film. The 66-year-old director discussed how Trump’s seven-second appearance has damaged both the film and his own reputation in a recent interview with the San Francisco Chronicle.
I just wish it was gone,” Columbus remarked, lamenting the former reality TV star’s brief appearance in the movie. He added in jest that there might be dire consequences if Trump is taken out of the final cut at this time. “I’m not up to it. In reference to Trump’s well-known strict immigration policy, Columbus joked, “If I cut it, I’ll probably be sent out of the country.” “I will be deemed somewhat unfit to reside in the United States, so I will need to return to Italy or something.”
Columbus joked throughout the interview that he was of Italian descent, despite the fact that he was born in Pennsylvania. His humorous remark was accompanied by genuine uneasiness, demonstrating how a scenario that was once innocent has evolved into one that is politically fraught.
Macaulay Culkin’s character, young Kevin McCallister, embarks on a flight to New York City while the rest of his family travels to Florida in Home Alone 2, the follow-up to the 1990 blockbuster hit Home Alone. Kevin takes advantage of the chance to travel alone and uses his father’s credit card to check into the opulent Plaza Hotel. Kevin meets Donald Trump for a brief moment in the Plaza’s lavish lobby, where he receives instructions.
As the owner of the Plaza Hotel at the time of filming, Trump allegedly used his influence to insist on making a cameo appearance in the film. As Columbus previously described, Trump basically pushed his way into the situation.
Columbus was first dubious about bringing Trump on board, but he was persuaded by an unexpected response from the audience. The strangest thing happened when we exhibited the film for the first time after we decided to include him: When Trump appeared on screen, people cheered. I therefore told my editor to keep him in the film. This is a moment for the viewers.
The cameo was considered a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it homage to some of New York’s most iconic individuals for years. However, the public’s perspective of Trump’s movie appearances was significantly changed by his ascent to political prominence and his subsequent election as president. Once praised, the same short scene is now criticized and demanded to be taken down.
Trump was in the White House when the reaction gained momentum. Since Trump’s image no longer matched the film’s family-friendly tone, several fans started urging that the moment be removed or altered. His character might even be replaced digitally, according to some.
The 44-year-old Macaulay Culkin fueled the debate in 2021 by indicating that he supported the idea of ousting Trump. Following a humorous suggestion on social media by a fan to “digitally replace Trump in Home Alone 2 with 40-year-old Macaulay Culkin,” the actor simply responded, “Sold.” “Bravo,” said Culkin in a comment on another post that included a digitally altered version of the sequence with Trump deleted.
Trump, who is currently 78 years old, has continuously denied that his appearance was unwelcome or self-serving. Trump claims that the filmmakers were keen to include him due to his prominence at the time.
The dispute has only become more heated as a result of the divergent reports. Columbus claims that Trump basically used force to get into the show, but Trump contends that he was a willing participant who was brought in due to public demand.
The scene continues to cause Columbus pain on both an artistic and political level. Now, decades after the movie’s premiere, what started out as a practical concession to find a shooting site has turned into a symbolic flashpoint.
Additionally, Columbus does not consider a director’s cut without Trump to be a feasible possibility, despite the fact that certain fans may find it appealing. He reiterated, “I can’t cut it,” obviously conflicted between maintaining creative control and the potential blowback. He genuinely worries about how polarizing the issue has become, which is why he made the amusing possibility that Trump might be deported if he were removed.
Fans of all ages still love Home Alone 2 over the holidays, despite the controversy. However, what was once a brief novelty—the Trump cameo—now has a lasting impact, serving as a reminder that even the most little decisions made in filmmaking can have a profound cultural impact.
Columbus’ association with one of the most recognizable family films in history is now linked to one of the most divisive personalities in American history. However, the truth is far more complex, both legally and culturally, even though he may yearn for a clean edit.
The cameo is still unaltered for the time being, a holdover from a bygone era that is preserved in the frame and ingrained in the history of a movie that has otherwise endured till today. It is unclear if a scenario from Home Alone 2 will be digitally rebuilt in subsequent editions. For Columbus, however, the argument is about identity, legacy, and the nuanced interplay between politics and art in contemporary America, not just films.