Danny Trejo is speaking out after fans pushed back on his involvement in Pawn Shop, an upcoming Daily Wire film centered on immigration enforcement. In a statement, Trejo said he is“also obviously pro-immigrant”and“not pro ICE,”adding,“I am an actor. My job is to tell a story.”His comments came after Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro openly described the project as pro-ICE, creating a confusing split between how the film is being marketed and how its star is framing his involvement.
The production has been bumpy from the start. Filming in Livingston, Montana was temporarily halted after residents complained about road closures, gunfire, and disruptions to daily life. The permit was eventually reinstated, but with conditions attached regarding noise levels, violent scenes, and public access. A filmed sequence also reportedly echoed the January killing of Renée Good, adding another layer of controversy. Pawn Shop also reportedly stars Harvey Keitel and Henry Thomas, and no release date has been announced.
For Trejo, the backlash lands differently than it would for most actors. He’s spent decades as a beloved Latino icon and an outspoken advocate for immigrant communities, so his fanbase is genuinely torn between trusting his word and questioning the project he signed onto. It’s the classic art versus politics debate, just with higher stakes and a much louder comment section.
What do you think: can an actor separate the role from the politics of the people making the film?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.