Reaction on social media was swift, with anger and disbelief after news spread that actor Danny Trejo was in production for the upcoming movie, “Pawn Shop,” co-produced by conservative Ben Shapiro and his company, The Daily Wire, along with Bonfire Legend.
Shapiro called the movie “awesome” and “Pro-ICE.”
The news hit hard, especially in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, where Trejo has deep roots in Pacoima and in Mission Hills, where he currently resides.
“Why would I live anywhere else?” Trejo told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol in a previous interview at his home. “Why would I move to the Hollywood Hills? Everything I need is right here,” he said proudly.
Having a homegrown celebrity who has stayed in the community has meant much to his local fans. “Danny” has been loved for taking time for a photo when approached and attending community events. You can count on him to bring out one of his beloved classic cars to ride in a local parade.
Other Latino celebrities who grew up in the Northeast Valley, including George Lopez and Cheech Marin, don’t have the same direct personal relationships that Trejo has maintained with the community. Throughout the Northeast Valley, he is considered a personal “friend.”
“My son is really going to be upset to hear about this,” said one Arleta resident. “He has run into ‘Danny’ at the 7-Eleven in Pacoima, just a few blocks from our house and each time they always had a nice exchange.
“Our family thought so highly of him; he was special to us and now I’m thinking we should take that big mural of him down in Pacoima’s Mural Mile,” she said.
At least one crew member quit after learning more about the content of the film.
It reportedly gives a revised account of the shooting that occurred to Renée Good that is sympathetic to Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE.
The plot portrays an ICE agent being chased by a crazed, angry “left-wing mob” who takes refuge in Dan’s Pawn Shop. Trejo plays the role of the shop’s Mexican owner, a vet, who protects the agent.
“It must be a mistake,” wrote one reader on the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol social media page.
“What a sellout,” wrote another. “Not all money is good money.
As the backlash grew quickly with thousands of posts on Instagram and Facebook last Saturday, Trejo responded with a statement.
“Hey everyone. I want to address some social media comments about me. 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. I know where I come from and I know our struggles. I am an actor. My job is to tell a story.”
Trejo’s statement brought more controversy:
“How do you claim not to be Pro-ICE then appear in a movie that is Pro-ICE?”
“Danny has destroyed his Street Cred and SOLD OUT!”
“That’s lame,” wrote a fellow actor on her own Facebook page. “You always read the script ahead of time.”
As the negative posts continued to swell, his son, Gilbert Trejo, also released a statement claiming that his father didn’t even know who Ben Shapiro was. The statement read:
“For anyone seeing this sh*t with my dad.
He 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.’
He jumped at the idea of playing a good guy.
About two weeks into shooting, everyone, including us, found out Ben Shapiro was involved.
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 badmouth 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****d up. He’s handcuffed to this stupid project, and swaths of people have instantly turned their back on him without knowing any of the facts.
Ben Shapiro 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.”
Those who’ve followed Trejo’s career took issue with both of their statements, especially the claim that he was oblivious and may have been taken advantage of.
Trejo worked as a voice actor on a previous Shapiro production, the Daily Wire animated series, “Mr. Birchum.”
While elderly, Trejo is co-owner of several businesses, including: Trejo’s Tacos, Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts, Trejo’s Cantina, Trejo’s Spirits and Trejo’s Music.
The posts continued:
“He isn’t a frail old man; he’s street-savvy, an ex-con who served time in San Quentin. Are you really saying an ex-con got conned?” wrote another.
“Ben probably celebrated getting Danny to flip against his own people. Claiming it’s all acting is a really weak excuse.”
In addition to acting, Trejo has also earned a living working for an agency that supports and counsels addicts. Trejo tells his story about his years achieving sobriety.
Despite his success, Trejo ran into tax problems, owing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) $2.5 million, and filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023. As part of the agreement, he sold a house in Pacoima that he inherited from his mother to begin to pay down the debt. He still retains ownership of his home in Mission Hills.
Crystal Jackson, president and founder of the Pacoima Historical Society, is taking issue with the backlash and said people need to wait for more facts before taking aim.
“I’m really disappointed in people for turning on Danny Trejo so quickly,” said Jackson. “Danny has been a pillar in this community for so long. No other actor or anyone I can think of stands out doing more for this community. So, to turn on him so quickly is really disturbing to me,” she continued.
“Knowing him, he’s not really savvy in researching people and issues. But I don’t think he would put his reputation as ‘Machete’ on the line for a film he disagreed with. I don’t think so. It’s hard to believe he would knowingly hurt his reputation for money,” said Jackson.
The timing of this movie, with all of its publicity, as the November mid-term election nears, has also raised concern.
“Threats of increased immigration in California by the Trump administration are serious,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). “As ICE threatens more actions in the days ahead, as a clear voter intimidation effort, we stand united, grounded and informed in our values,” she said.
“The Latino immigrant community is looking for support from leadership and people who are in the spotlight,” said Evelyn Aleman, a founder of the organization LA Voz. This organization is made up of mostly immigrant families who have been terrorized by the ICE raids that have increased. In the City of San Fernando, Pacoima, Sylmar and surrounding areas, ICE is seen every day.
“[For those] who’ve gained some success in Hollywood – especially Latinos, now is not the time to remain silent or take on jobs that amplify the voices or work of those determined to wreak havoc on our communities. What is happening to our communities is horrific and [this] will not be forgotten. We need support.”
Immigrant rights organizations including CHIRLA, LA Voz, the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), Filipino Workers Central are expected to have a news conference on these issues this Friday.
The San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol has reached out to Gloria Hinojosa, Trejo’s agent. She did not respond by press time.
