As Danny Trejo faces backlash following his involvement in Daily Wire’s latest project, his son is speaking out in the actor’s defense.
This weekend, Gilbert Trejo claimed his father had “never heard of Ben Shapiro” or “what kind of guy he is” until two weeks into production on Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend’s. Pawnbrokerwhich has been described as a pro-ICE film that apparently dramatizes the murder of Renée Good.
“For everyone seeing this shit with my dad…” he began in a statement on his Instagram Story, shared by San Fernando Valley sunshine. “He was booked for a movie, it’s not pro-ICE, it’s not overtly pro anything. His agent described it as ‘a complicated story about a complicated time, where everyone looks bad except you, the hard-working Mexican store owner who just wants peace.’
“He jumped at the idea of playing a good guy. About two weeks into filming, everyone, including us, found out that Ben Shapiro was involved. My 82-year-old father had never heard of Ben Shapiro, I had to explain to him who he was and what kind of guy he was. My father cannot, by contract, say bad things about him, the film, or walk away without being sued for breach of contract. He couldn’t even release the statement that he wanted.
Gilbert continued, “It’s fucked up. He’s handcuffed to this stupid project, and tons of people immediately turned their backs on him without knowing any of the facts. Ben Shapiro made the Mexicans abandon one of their heroes, put his own name at the top of Google searches, and made us all look like angry, unnuanced fools. He’s winning.”
Fake protesters film a scene from the Daily Wire production “Pawn Shop” on October 2, 2026 in Livingston, Montana.
William Campbell/Getty Images
Last week, Danny Trejo broke his silence following backlash over his role in the film. “Hey everyone. I want to respond to some comments about me on social media,” he said. “Make no mistake. I am a proud Mexican who has always been and always will be a supporter of my community. I am also obviously pro-immigration. 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. God bless you, Danny.”
The summary of Pawnbroker It reads: “When chaos descends on the streets of Minneapolis, a young federal agent finds himself alone after his partner is seriously injured and must find a way to survive an increasingly dangerous situation. Seeking refuge at a neighborhood pawn shop, he finds himself stuck with a traditional Hispanic father and his progressive, college-age son, forcing three very different men to confront fear, conflicting beliefs, and a crisis that tests their courage and humanity.
Since filming began, residents have protested the alleged use of blank shots, pyrotechnics and a staged car crash without properly informing residents and businesses, as well as the opening scene, which appears to dramatize the fatal shooting of Renée Good by ICE in Minnesota in January.
Production was temporarily suspended earlier this month, resuming with a revised filming permit last Tuesday, requiring the crew to ensure access to the pantry for residents of the Livingston Food Resource Center and to protect the public from both filming violent scenes and noise. The production also agreed to address backlash over the use of private security by ensuring there would be no policing or harassment of residents on nearby public streets.
Shapiro denounced the suspension as “a violation of the First Amendment,” calling the film’s critics “censorious morons” who oppose free speech.
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