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Did Donald Trump really appear in Home Alone 2? Here’s what happened

On social media platform X, people shared snaps of a scene, sparking discussions about a possible cameo appearance by Trump.

Updated on: Dec 23, 2025, 02:46:20 IST
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The 1992 film ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’ remains a holiday-favorite to this day. Now, one brief moment in the movie has sparked curiosity and online reactions: a cameo appearance by Donald Trump.

The scene was originally considered for removal, but after a test screening in Chicago, audiences reacted positively. (Screengrab/ Home Alone 2)
The scene was originally considered for removal, but after a test screening in Chicago, audiences reacted positively. (Screengrab/ Home Alone 2)

On social media platform X, people shared snaps of a scene. “Home Alone 2 star Donald J. Trump has been redacted from the movie,” wrote one user, a possible joke on the Epstein file releases. “Did you know Donald Trump has acted in a movie????” posted another.

The snaps shared are from a scene inside New York’s Plaza Hotel, which was owned by Trump at the time of filming. Details about how and why the cameo happened have been discussed in interviews and media coverage over the years.

So did Trump appear in the movie?

Yes. Donald Trump appears briefly in the film, during the Plaza Hotel scene. In the scene, 10-year-old Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, asks Trump for directions to the hotel lobby. Trump points him down the hall and to the left before Kevin walks away.

Director Chris Columbus has explained that the cameo was not initially planned.

According to interviews with the director, Trump requested to appear in the film when the crew arranged to shoot inside the Plaza Hotel, which he owned. Columbus told Business Insider in 2020 that Trump “did bully” his way into the movie, and the production agreed to the cameo in exchange for permission to film in the hotel.

Also Read: Tom Cruise scrapped outer space movie to avoid asking a favour from Donald Trump: Report

The scene was originally considered for removal, but after a test screening in Chicago, audiences reacted positively. Columbus said the crowd “cheered and cheered” during the moment, prompting him to keep it in the final cut.

Despite this, Columbus later described the cameo as “an albatross” and admitted he wishes it was gone, reported People in April 2025.

Trump’s side of the story

Trump has disputed claims that he forced the cameo.

In a 2023 post on Truth Social, he wrote that he was busy at the time and that the filmmakers were “persistent.”

He described the cameo as contributing to the movie’s success, adding that “that little cameo took off like a rocket.”

Has Trump acted in other movies?

Home Alone 2 is not Trump’s only appearance in a movie. His resume includes appearances in films and TV shows such as

  • The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
  • The Nanny
  • All My Children
  • Little Rascals,
  • Ghosts Can’t Do It

Read More: Emma Thompson reveals how Trump ‘stalked’ her, asked for date after her divorce; 'I'd love you to come and stay at…'

Aside from former President Ronald Reagan, Trump is one of the few US presidents with verified acting roles prior to taking office, reported Fox News.

  • Prakriti Deb
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Prakriti Deb

    Prakriti Deb is a journalist at Hindustan Times Digital, where she is part of the US Desk. She works on stories related to American politics, crime, sports, entertainment and weather. She particularly enjoys covering political developments that have global ripples. Through her work, she aims to break down complex events in a way that feels simple and understandable. Before joining the Hindustan Times, she worked with The Indian Express Digital, where she covered world affairs. She holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Journalism, along with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Outside the newsroom, Prakriti enjoys travelling and stepping out of her comfort zone. She finds her sense of being through storytelling in all its forms, including conversations, painting, theatre, dance and photography. She appreciates discussions that challenge her perspective and help her see the world a little differently.Read More

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