Danny Trejo Accidentally Made a Pro-ICE Movie, Didn’t Know Ben Shapiro Financed It (Report)

Mexican-American actor Danny Trejo (Machete, Spy Kids) has found himself in controversy after starring in a pro-ICE movie that is produced by Ben Shapiro’s conservative media company, Daily Wire.

The actor claims that he wasn’t aware of Ben Shapiro’s involvement in the project until after the filming had started. Titled Pawn Shop, the film follows a young ICE officer who has to complete a high-stakes arrest alone after his partner is killed while he is barricaded inside a pawn shop.

Per a report by The Hollywood Reporter, Danny Trejo portrayed the role of the owner of a Minneapolis store that becomes ground zero for the standoff between ICE, anti-ICE protesters, Antifa, and MS-13 gang members.

How Danny Trejo Found Himself In a Pro-ICE Movie

Danny Trejo in a still from Spy Kids | Credits: Troublemaker Studios

Following the backlash against Trejo for starring in the pro-ICE movie, his son, Gilbert Trejo, shared a post to his Instagram story (via Variety) and revealed how the whole thing came to be.

According to Gilbert, Trejo didn’t know the film was being financed by Ben Shapiro’s company, and only after two weeks into the shooting did the actor come to know about it. In fact, Gilbert claims Danny Trejo didn’t even know who Ben Shapiro was until he had to “explain to him who that is, and what kind of guy he is,” wrote Gilbert.

Trejo allegedly cannot badmouth Shapiro or the film contractually, and he wasn’t able to walk out of the film “without being sued for breach of contract”.

Gilbert stated that his father’s agent described Pawn Shop as a complicated story about a complicated time, where everyone looks bad except Danny Trejo. According to the agent, the role for Trejo was for a hardworking Mexican shop owner “who just wants peace”.

Although Trejo isn’t allegedly allowed to badmouth the movie or Ben Shapiro, he recently doubled down on his stance about ICE following the backlash.

Danny Trejo Solidifies “Not Pro-ICE” Stance Following Backlash

Danny Trejo in a still from Machete | Credits: Overnight Films

After breaking his silence on the whole ordeal, Danny Trejo revealed to TMZ that he is definitely not pro-ICE. The actor doubled down on his stance and stated that he is a proud Mexican and “am obviously pro-immigrant. I am not pro-ICE”.

Pertaining to the upcoming film, Trejo added that “I know where I come from and I know our struggles”. TMZ also learned that the film appeared to recreate the killing of Renée Good as part of the premise, though it remains unconfirmed and is mere speculation until proven otherwise.

According to his son, the actor jumped onto the project when his agent had mentioned that his character as a Mexican and a veteran would be on the good side of things. Wanting to portray a good character, Danny Trejo jumped at the role and ultimately found himself in a controversy.

What do you think about Danny Trejo’s involvement in the movie? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Pawn Shop does not have an official release date.