Gilbert Trejo Claims Danny Trejo Did Not Know of Ben Shapiro

Actor Danny Trejo is facing public backlash and intense scrutiny following his involvement in Pawn Shop, a film produced by Ben Shapiro’s media company, The Daily Wire, and Dallas Sonnier’s Bonfire Legend. Trejo, 82, has publicly clarified his political stance, stating he is not pro-ICE, while his son, Gilbert Trejo, has attributed the actor’s participation to a contractual obligation and a lack of prior knowledge regarding the project’s political ties.

The Source of the Controversy

The production of Pawn Shop, currently filming in Livingston, Montana, has attracted significant criticism for its perceived pro-ICE narrative. According to reporting by Deadline, the film’s opening scene appears to dramatize the fatal shooting of Renée Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.

Danny Trejo’s Response to Backlash

In a statement provided to TMZ and confirmed by the Los Angeles Times, Trejo addressed his critics directly. I am a proud Mexican who has always been and will always be a supporter of my community, Trejo said. I am also obviously pro-immigrant. I am not pro-ICE. I know where I come from and I know our struggles. I am an actor. My job is to tell a story. Sources connected to the production told TMZ that Trejo was initially drawn to the role because he viewed it as a positive depiction of a Latino veteran and a hardworking business owner.

Gilbert Trejo’s Account of the Contract

Gilbert Trejo shared a statement on Instagram, later reported by Variety and Deadline, explaining that his father did not know of Ben Shapiro’s involvement until two weeks into the production. Gilbert stated that his father is contractually prohibited from speaking negatively about the film or the producers, and that walking away would result in a breach-of-contract lawsuit. He’s handcuffed to this stupid project, and swaths of people have instantly turned their back on him without knowing any of the facts, Gilbert wrote. He noted that the actor’s agent had framed the script as a complicated story about a complicated time, which led the actor to accept the role.

Production Status in Livingston

Following the October 3, 2026, suspension, filming resumed on October 6, 2026, under a revised permit. The Los Angeles Times reported that the new agreement requires the production to ensure access to the local food pantry and shield the public from noise and the filming of violent scenes. Additionally, the production committed to ending the use of private security personnel who had been accused of harassing locals on public streets. Ben Shapiro, in comments reported by Deadline, criticized the initial production halt as a violation of the First Amendment and described the film’s detractors as censorious jackasses.