Chris Columbus, the director of the 1992 film "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," recently expressed concerns about the potential repercussions of removing Donald Trump's cameo from the film. Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle, Columbus referred to the cameo as a "curse" and an "albatross," stating he wished it could be eliminated. Columbus, who has Italian ancestry, shared his apprehension, stating, “I can’t cut it. If I cut it, I’ll probably be sent out of the country. I’ll be considered sort of not fit to live in the United States, so I’ll have to go back to Italy or something."
In "Home Alone 2," the plot revolves around eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, portrayed by Macaulay Culkin, who accidentally boards a flight to New York while his family heads to Miami for their Christmas holiday. During his time in New York, Kevin encounters Trump at the Plaza Hotel, which Trump owned at the time. Columbus acknowledged that although he was born and raised in the United States, he fears backlash from the former president’s supporters, which could lead to repercussions for him.
Interestingly, Trump's cameo has previously been cut from the film. In 2019, a version without Trump was broadcast by a Canadian channel, sparking complaints from his supporters. Columbus had previously indicated that the decision to include Trump in the film was not entirely voluntary; Trump allegedly insisted on appearing in the movie in exchange for allowing the production to film at the Plaza. Columbus noted, “We paid the fee, but he also said, ‘The only way you can use the Plaza is if I’m in the movie.’ So we agreed to put him in the movie.”
In a somewhat ironic turn of events, Culkin had indicated on social media in 2021 that he was open to the idea of digitally replacing Trump in future versions of the film. This comes amid a politically charged atmosphere where issues surrounding immigration and deportation have raised significant public discourse.
Columbus's comments about his fears of deportation echo broader concerns raised during Trump's administration, particularly concerning the treatment of individuals in the immigration system. Columbus’ remarks follow an incident where a man living in Maryland was deported to a prison in El Salvador amidst claims by governmental authorities that it was an “administration error.” This decision prompted legal action, culminating in a judge declaring the deportation "unconstitutional" and ordering the Supreme Court to facilitate the man's return to the United States, emphasizing the legal complexities and ongoing discussions surrounding immigration policy.
As the dialogue continues regarding Trump's legacy and immigration issues, Columbus's reflections on his film deferentially highlight the intertwining of entertainment and political realities, thus contributing to the ongoing conversation surrounding both subjects.
Source: Noah Wire Services