The 'Curse' Of A Seven-Second Cameo: 5 Shocking Facts About Donald Trump In Home Alone 2

The brief, seven-second appearance of Donald Trump in the 1992 Christmas classic Home Alone 2: Lost in New York has become one of the most talked-about and controversial movie cameos in cinematic history, especially as of late. While the film remains a beloved holiday staple, the director’s recent comments—calling the scene a "curse" he wishes he could remove—have brought the decades-old moment back into the spotlight with fresh intensity. As of Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the debate over whether the scene should be cut, and the true story of how it came to be, continues to capture public attention, revealing a fascinating intersection of Hollywood, real estate, and political celebrity.

The controversy is rooted in the film's primary New York location: The Plaza Hotel, which Donald Trump owned at the time of filming. His famous walk-on role, where he directs a lost Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) through the lobby, has been a source of both pride for Trump and regret for the film's creative team. This deep dive explores the five most shocking and little-known facts about the cameo, from the alleged "extortion" to the director's current fear of being "sent out of the country" if he dares to edit it out.

The Director's Shocking 'Curse' Confession and Regret

In recent years, the director of Home Alone 2, Chris Columbus, has been remarkably candid about his feelings toward the famous cameo, using surprisingly strong language to describe its lasting impact. He has publicly stated that Donald Trump's appearance has become an "albatross" and a "curse" that he wishes he could remove from the movie.

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Columbus's regret stems from the political divisiveness that has come to surround the former President. He noted that the cameo was never intended to be a political statement; it was simply a logistical necessity at the time of filming.

The filmmaker has even confessed to a sense of powerlessness over the situation, suggesting that the scene is now untouchable. He joked, "If I cut it, I'll probably be sent out of the country," highlighting the intense public scrutiny and reaction that any alteration to the film now invites.

This sentiment has resonated with many fans who feel the cameo now distracts from the pure, nostalgic joy of the Christmas movie. For Columbus, the seven-second interaction has overshadowed the film's other classic elements, like the Sticky Bandits (Harry and Marv) and the Pigeon Lady.

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The director's outspoken desire to see the scene "gone" represents the freshest and most compelling development in the decades-long discussion about this particular piece of movie trivia.

The Alleged 'Extortion' Deal for The Plaza Hotel Filming

The reason Donald Trump appears in the movie is directly tied to the primary filming location: The Plaza Hotel in New York City. In 1992, Trump owned the prestigious hotel, and the production team needed to film several key scenes there, as Kevin McCallister accidentally checks in after getting lost in New York.

According to director Chris Columbus, the production company had to negotiate with the hotel owner to secure the necessary filming permits and access. Columbus revealed that Trump essentially demanded a walk-on role in the movie as a condition for allowing them to film in his hotel.

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Columbus described the scenario as a form of "extortion," where Trump allegedly told the filmmakers, "The only way you can use the Plaza is if I'm in the movie." The director felt they had no choice but to agree to the demand, as the hotel was a central part of the sequel's plot.

Trump, however, has offered a different narrative. He has claimed that the production team "begged" him to be in the movie, recognizing that his presence would be a valuable addition to the film. He stated that they rented the Plaza Hotel, which he owned, and that he was happy to oblige their request for an appearance.

Regardless of whose account is entirely accurate, the fact remains that the cameo was a direct result of a business transaction involving the use of Trump's property, making it one of the most visible examples of a real estate mogul leveraging his assets for screen time.

The Seven-Second Scene and Its Outsized Impact

The actual cameo is incredibly brief, clocking in at approximately seven seconds, yet its cultural and political impact has been enormous. The scene occurs early in the film after Kevin McCallister has accidentally boarded a flight to New York and is navigating the massive Plaza Hotel lobby.

Kevin, looking for the lobby, stops a man in a black coat to ask for directions. That man is Donald Trump. Kevin asks, "Excuse me, where's the lobby?" and Trump replies, "Down the hall and to the left." Kevin then thanks him and walks away, ending the interaction.

This minimal interaction has been cited by Trump himself as evidence of his "mega-celebrity" status in legal filings. He has used his appearances in films like Home Alone 2 and at Wrestlemania as proof of his widespread fame and public recognition.

The CBC Editing Controversy

The controversy reached a fever pitch in 2019 when the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) aired Home Alone 2 during the holiday season with Trump's cameo edited out. The removal was part of several cuts made to shorten the film for broadcast time, but it ignited a massive public outcry.

Trump's supporters accused the CBC of political bias and censorship, arguing that the cut was a deliberate attempt to erase the former President from a piece of pop culture history. The CBC responded by explaining that the cuts were made purely for time and were done years before Trump entered politics, a claim that was met with skepticism by some.

This incident demonstrated the highly charged political atmosphere surrounding the film. A simple, seven-second scene of a man giving directions had become a flashpoint for debates about media bias, celebrity, and political influence.

The Legacy of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Despite the ongoing controversy, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York remains a significant film in the Christmas movie pantheon. It successfully reunited the core cast, including Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern, and expanded the scope of Kevin McCallister's adventures from the suburbs of Chicago to the iconic landmarks of New York City.

Key Filming Locations and Entities

The movie is celebrated for its use of quintessential New York locations, which themselves serve as major entities in the film’s narrative:

• The Plaza Hotel: The luxurious base of operations for Kevin's solo vacation.
• Central Park: Where Kevin first meets the compassionate Pigeon Lady.
• Rockefeller Center: The location of the famous Christmas tree and the emotional reunion scene.
• Duncan’s Toy Chest: The massive toy store, inspired by the real-life FAO Schwarz, that Kevin helps protect.
• The Twin Towers: The original World Trade Center was briefly featured, a poignant reminder of the city's past.

The film's enduring appeal lies in its blend of slapstick comedy, family warmth, and the magical atmosphere of a New York Christmas. The cameo, while controversial, is now an inextricable part of the film's history, a bizarre piece of trivia that connects a beloved holiday movie to a major political figure.

The director's recent comments—wishing the scene was "gone" and calling it a "curse"—only solidify the cameo's place as a unique cultural artifact. It serves as a reminder that even the most fleeting moments in cinema can take on a life of their own, especially when the celebrity involved rises to the highest office in the land. The debate over the seven-second scene is unlikely to end anytime soon, ensuring that Home Alone 2 will continue to spark discussion for many Christmases to come.