Danny Trejo Responds to Backlash After Being Cast in Pro-ICE Movie

Danny Trejo has responded following backlash to his role in an upcoming movie produced by Daily Wire, the media company co-owned by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro.

The 82-year-old actor, known for his roles in Heat, Con Air, and the Machete franchise, will star in Pawn Shop as a Mexican store owner caught in the middle of anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis. The movie, produced by Daily Wire Productions, is set in the immediate aftermath of the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in January 2026.

Since news of Trejo’s casting broke, the Breaking Bad actor has faced intense backlash from his fans and community. Trejo responded to the criticism over the weekend, taking to Instagram to explain he is “not pro-ICE.”

“Hey everyone. I want to address some social media comments about me,” he wrote. “Make no mistake. I am a proud Mexican who has always been and will always be a supporter of my community. I am also obviously pro-immigrant. I am not pro ICE.”

He continued, “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.”

 

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Many fans believed Trejo’s statement was weak, with one Instagram user asking, “If you’re not pro ice, then why are you starring in a pro ice movie?”

“But you chose to be a part of Pro ICE movie, you didn’t have to do it,” said another.

“You broke my heart Danny,” another added.

However, since then, Trejo’s son, Gilbert Trejo, has claimed his father didn’t know about Shapiro’s involvement when he signed on to the project; in fact, Gilbert said his dad didn’t even know who Shapiro was.

 

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In a social media post captured by the San Fernando Sun, Gilbert claimed his dad “was booked on a film, 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 hardworking Mexican shop owner who just wants peace.'”

Gilbert said Trejo “jumped at the idea of playing a good guy,” and they didn’t find out Shapiro was involved until two weeks into filming. The plot of the film sees an ICE officer barricaded inside a pawn shop after an altercation with protesters.

“My 82 year old dad has never heard of Ben Shapiro, I had to explain to him who that is, and what kind of guy he is,” Gilbert shared. “My dad contractually can’t bad mouth him, the film, or walk away without being sued for breach of contract. He couldn’t even release the statement he wanted to.”

“It’s f***ed up,” Trejo’s son continued. “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 concluded by aiming at Shapiro, saying that the right-wing content creator “got Mexicans to abandon one of their heroes, got his own name to the top of google’s searches, and made us look like angry fools lacking any nuance. He wins.”