Trump responds to 'Home Alone 2' bullying allegations, claims cameo helped make the movie a success

In response to claims by Chris Columbus, the director of 1992's ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’, Donald Trump took to social media to assert that there was no bullying involved in his iconic cameo appearance in the film. Trump, the former president, refuted the notion that he pressured his way into the picture, emphasizing the positive impact of his cameo on the movie's success.

In a statement posted on Wednesday, Trump stated, "Nothing could be further from the truth. That cameo helped make the movie a success. But if they felt bullied, or didn’t want me, why did they put me in, and keep me there for over 30 years?"
Contrary to accusations, Trump claimed he was initially reluctant to make the appearance and was "very busy" at the time. He asserted that he was urged by the filmmakers, and despite his reservations, he eventually agreed.
However, lingering accusations suggest a quid pro quo arrangement regarding the filming at Trump's Plaza Hotel.
In response to these claims, Columbus clarified the circumstances surrounding the shoot, stating, “Like most locations in New York City, you just pay a fee and you are allowed to shoot in that location". The Plaza Hotel, owned by Trump at the time, was chosen for its lobby setting, and Columbus mentioned in an interview with Business
Insider, “We approached The Plaza Hotel, which Trump owned at the time, because we wanted to shoot in the lobby. We couldn’t rebuild The Plaza on a soundstage. Trump said OK. We paid the fee, but he also said, ‘The only way you can use the Plaza is if I’m in the movie’”.
Acknowledging Trump's insistence on being in the film, Columbus explained, “So we agreed to put him in the movie, and when we screened it for the first time the oddest thing happened: People cheered when Trump showed up on-screen. 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”.

‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’ was released in 1992, featuring Trump in a cameo role. The sequel follows Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, navigating the challenges of being lost in New York while his family heads to Florida. The film became a classic, and Trump's unexpected appearance has remained a notable moment for audiences over the past three decades.