Danny Trejo’s involvement in Pawn Shop, an upcoming film produced by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro’s media company, The Daily Wire, has prompted criticism. The project has been characterised as promoting an anti-ICE position, while Trejo is of Mexican descent and has publicly identified as a Democrat.
Trejo is known for more than 200 film appearances, frequently playing criminals and intimidating tough characters. His work has also included family films such as the Spy Kids series and last year’s Zootopia 2. Away from cinema, he has appeared in games including Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, as well as playing himself in Call of Duty: Black Ops and Far Cry 6.
After the backlash, Trejo issued a statement on his Instagram account. He said fans should “make no mistake” that he remains a proud Mexican who supports his community. Trejo also described himself as pro-immigrant rather than pro-ICE.
What Trejo’s son says happened
Gilbert Trejo says his father did not understand the film’s political associations when he accepted the role. In a private Instagram story, he alleged that Trejo’s agent presented Pawn Shop as “a complicated story about a complicated time”, centred on a hardworking Mexican shop owner seeking peace while other characters looked bad.
Gilbert claims that Shapiro’s involvement was not made clear to Trejo or his family until roughly two weeks after filming began. He also said the actor had not previously heard of Shapiro or his rhetoric.
According to Gilbert, contractual obligations now prevent Trejo from publicly criticising Shapiro or the film, or leaving the production, without facing legal consequences. He described his father as being trapped in the project while audiences judged him without knowing the circumstances.
“It’s fucked up,” Gilbert wrote, arguing that the controversy had caused people to turn against an actor he considers a Mexican hero. He further claimed that the situation had increased attention on Shapiro while making Trejo’s supporters appear angry and lacking nuance.
Trejo’s work beyond film
The controversy is also relevant to game players familiar with Trejo’s screen persona. His appearances in major video-game franchises have helped carry his distinctive tough-guy image into interactive entertainment, from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City to Far Cry 6.
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