Danny Trejo's Son Believes Dad Is 'Hostaged' To Finish Film That's Pro-Ice: 'He Jumped on Opportunity To Play the Good Guy'

Danny Trejo has become embroiled in a political controversy over his involvement in Pawn Shop, an upcoming film produced by conservative media company The Daily Wire. The 82-year-old actor, known for his decades-long career in Hollywood, is facing criticism over the project's immigration enforcement storyline and its association with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro. Now, Trejo's son, Gilbert Trejo, has stepped in to defend his father, claiming the veteran star did not fully understand the political affiliations behind the production when he agreed to take part.

Gilbert alleges that his father was unaware of Shapiro's involvement until filming was already underway, raising questions about how much Trejo knew about the project before signing on. With Pawn Shop drawing scrutiny over its portrayal of immigration enforcement, the actor's participation has become a point of contention. His family maintains that Trejo is now in a difficult position because of his contractual obligations, potentially limiting his ability to distance himself from a production that has attracted political criticism.

Danny Trejo 'Jumped at the Idea of Playing a Good Guy'

In a statement shared on social media, Gilbert explained that his father initially accepted the role after receiving a description of the film that emphasised a morally complicated story and a peaceful Mexican shop owner. According to Gilbert, Trejo's agent described the character as a hardworking man who simply wanted peace amid a turbulent situation.

'He jumped at the idea of playing a good guy,' Gilbert wrote, arguing that his father was attracted to the opportunity to portray a positive Latino character rather than make a political statement.

However, Gilbert claimed that the cast and family only discovered Shapiro's involvement approximately two weeks into filming. He added that his father had never heard of the political commentator before the project, and that he had to explain who Shapiro was to him.

The revelation has fuelled questions about how much Trejo knew about the production before signing on.

Why His Son Says He Is 'Handcuffed' to the Film

Gilbert described his father as being 'handcuffed' to the project, alleging that contractual restrictions prevent him from publicly criticising the film or Shapiro. He also claimed Trejo cannot simply walk away without potentially facing a breach-of-contract lawsuit. According to Gilbert, his father was even unable to release the statement he originally wanted to make about the controversy.

'It's f***ed up,' Gilbert wrote, expressing frustration that audiences had seemingly turned against his father without knowing the full circumstances surrounding his involvement. His comments suggest that the family believes the actor's participation has been interpreted as an endorsement of the film's perceived political message, despite what they say were his original reasons for accepting the role.

The precise terms of Trejo's contract have not been made public, meaning the legal restrictions described by his son have not been independently verified.

Danny Trejo Insists He Is Pro-Immigrant

Trejo has also addressed the backlash himself, making clear that appearing in the film should not be taken as a declaration of support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 'I am also obviously pro-immigrant. I am not pro-ICE,' the actor said in a statement, emphasising his identity as a proud Mexican and his longstanding support for his community.

Pawn Shop is produced by The Daily Wire and follows an ICE officer caught in a violent confrontation who seeks refuge inside a pawn shop. The story has drawn criticism because of its portrayal of immigration enforcement and its reported parallels with the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis.

Filming in Livingston, Montana, also attracted protests and local concerns, prompting a temporary interruption to production before filming resumed.

Questions Around Hollywood's Political Divide

The controversy has placed Trejo in an uncomfortable position, with some critics questioning his decision to join the project while his son argues that the circumstances surrounding the casting have been misunderstood. For Gilbert, the situation is not simply about a politically divisive film. He believes his father is being judged without the complete story and is unable to respond freely because of his contractual commitments.

Whether audiences ultimately accept that explanation remains uncertain. For now, the dispute highlights the potential consequences actors can face when a production becomes politically controversial, particularly when their personal beliefs are assumed to match the message viewers perceive on screen.