Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
Danny Trejo’s son says actor learned of Ben Shapiro’s role during filming
Actor Danny Trejo is facing criticism for appearing in Pawn Shop, a film being made by the Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend in Livingston, Montana.
His son, Gilbert Trejo, says his father did not know Ben Shapiro was involved until about two weeks after filming began.
Gilbert says Trejo had signed a contract that prevents him from speaking against the project or leaving without risking a lawsuit.
Trejo has said he is proud to be Mexican, supports immigrants and is not pro-ICE, while describing himself as an actor telling a story.
The film’s plot centers on a federal agent who takes shelter in a pawn shop with a Hispanic father and his son during a crisis in Minneapolis.
Local residents have protested the production, including its apparent depiction of the fatal shooting of Renée Good and the use of staged gunfire and a car wreck.
Filming was temporarily suspended and later resumed under a revised permit that requires steps including maintaining food pantry access for local residents and shielding the public from violent scenes.
Gilbert Trejo says his father, actor Danny Trejo, learned Ben Shapiro was involved in the film Pawn Shop about two weeks after filming began.
Gilbert says Danny had never heard of Shapiro and is contractually unable to criticize the film or leave without risking a breach-of-contract lawsuit.
The film, produced by Shapiro’s Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend, has drawn backlash over its portrayal of immigration enforcement.
Danny has said he is pro-immigrant and not pro-ICE, and described himself as an actor whose job is to tell a story.
Filming in Livingston, Montana, has also prompted local protests over production activity and a scene that appears to portray the fatal shooting of Renée Good.
- Who
- Actor Danny Trejo and his son, Gilbert Trejo. Ben Shapiro is involved in the film.
- What
- Gilbert says Danny learned of Shapiro’s involvement after filming began and cannot freely criticize or leave the project.
- When
- Gilbert says the cast learned about two weeks into shooting. The articles were published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The film is being made in Livingston, Montana, and is set partly in Minneapolis.
- Why
- Gilbert says Danny took the role based on a description of a complicated story and the chance to play a good guy. The film has prompted backlash over its apparent pro-ICE subject matter.
Gilbert Trejo and Danny Trejo
Critics of the film and local protesters
Danny’s involvement
Gilbert Trejo and Danny Trejo
Gilbert says Danny accepted the role without knowing Shapiro was involved and is contractually unable to leave or criticize the project.
Critics of the film and local protesters
Critics have objected to Trejo’s involvement in a film described as pro-ICE; locals have protested production activity and the film’s apparent portrayal of Renée Good’s fatal shooting.
Danny’s views
Gilbert Trejo and Danny Trejo
Danny says he is pro-immigrant and not pro-ICE, and that he is an actor telling a story.
Critics of the film and local protesters
The film’s subject matter and Trejo’s role have drawn backlash, although the articles do not give a direct statement from critics about his personal views.
The film’s opening scene appears to dramatize ICE’s fatal shooting of Renée Good in Minnesota, according to Deadline.
A photograph captioned by Deadline shows fake protesters filming a scene for Pawn Shop in Livingston, Montana.
Gilbert says the cast learned Ben Shapiro was involved in the project.
Danny Trejo issued a statement saying he is pro-immigrant and not pro-ICE.
Production was temporarily suspended and later resumed with a revised film permit, according to Deadline.
- Film
- Pawn Shop
- Production companies
- Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend
- Actor
- Danny Trejo
- Son
- Gilbert Trejo
- Filming location
- Livingston, Montana
- Discovery of Shapiro’s involvement
- About two weeks into shooting
What people are saying
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.
My dad contractually can’t bad mouth him, the film, or walk away without being sued for breach of contract.
He’s handcuffed to this stupid project, and swaths of people have instantly turned their back on him without knowing any of the facts.
I am also obviously, pro-immigrant. I am not pro-ICE.
Posts on X
Daily Wire's new pro-ICE movie production has attracted local protesters in Livingston, Montana. Filming under the working title 'Pawn Shop', the latest project from Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire and Dallas Sonnier's Bonfire Legend has upset locals — not just because of its alleged
Sources
Danny Trejo Had ‘Never Heard’ of Ben Shapiro Before Signing On for Daily Wire’s ‘Pawn Shop,’ Says His Son: ‘It’s F—d Up. He’s Handcuffed to This Stupid Project’
Danny Trejo’s Son Claims Actor “Never Heard” Of Ben Shapiro Until 2 Weeks Into ICE Film Production: “He’s Handcuffed To This Stupid Project”
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