Former President Donald Trump has denied claims by filmmaker Chris Columbus that he insisted on appearing in the popular Christmas comedy film “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.”
In a post on Truth Social on Dec. 27, President Trump said Mr. Columbus and others on the 1992 film’s production team were “begging me to make a cameo appearance.”
“They rented the Plaza Hotel in New York, which I owned at the time. I was very busy, and didn’t want to do it. They were very nice, but above all, persistent. I agreed, and the rest is history!” President Trump wrote.
He added: “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? Because I was, and still am, great for the movie, that’s why! Just another Hollywood guy from the past looking for a quick fix of Trump publicity for himself!”
President Trump’s social media post comes after Mr. Columbus said during an interview with Business Insider that the former commander-in-chief and “The Apprentice” host strong-armed his way into the movie, reportedly telling the filmmaker: “The only way you can use the Plaza is if I’m in the movie.”
Mr. Columbus, who also directed the first “Home Alone” film, told the outlet in 2020 that President Trump sought a cameo appearance in addition to the usual fee to be able to film in the Plaza Hotel.
“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,'” he said, further claiming that Mr. Trump “did bully his way into the movie.”
Responding to Mr. Columbus’s interview, President Trump said: “Nothing could be further from the truth.”
“That little cameo took off like a rocket, and the movie was a big success, and still is, especially around Christmas time. People call me whenever it is aired,” he said. “Now, however, 30 years later, Columbus … put out a statement that I bullied myself into the movie.”
Before being elected president of the United States, Mr. Trump had made dozens of cameo appearances in TV shows, films, and even live wrestling events, as well as hosting the reality TV shows “The Apprentice” and “The Celebrity Apprentice” from 2004 until he announced his presidential campaign in 2015.
He also appeared in several TV commercials for eatery chains Pizza Hut and McDonald’s. Other brands President Trump appeared in include Pepsi, Macy’s, Oreo, and Visa.