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”

As Danny Trejo is met with backlash over his involvement in Daily Wire‘s latest project, his son is coming to the actor’s defense.

This weekend, Gilbert Trejo claimed that his father had “never heard of Ben Shapiro” or “what kind of guy he is” until two weeks into production own Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend’s Pawn Shop, which has been described as a pro-ICE film that seemingly dramatizes the killing of Renée Good.

“For anyone seeing this shit with my dad…” he begain a statement on his Instagram Story, which was shared by The San Fernando Valley Sun. “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 2 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 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.”

Gilbert continued, “It’s fucked 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.”

Last week, Danny Trejo broke his silence following backlash to his role in the movie. “Hey everyone. I want to address some social media comments about me,” he said. “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. God Bless you, Danny.”

The synopsis for Pawn Shop reads: ‘When chaos hits the streets of Minneapolis, a young federal agent is left alone after his partner is seriously hurt and must find a way to survive an increasingly dangerous situation. Seeking shelter inside a neighborhood pawn shop, he becomes trapped with a traditional Hispanic father and his progressive college-age son, forcing three very different men to confront fear, conflicting beliefs and a crisis that tests their courage and humanity.”

Since filming began, locals have protested the alleged use of blank gunshots, pyrotechnics and a staged car wreck without properly notifying residents and businesses, as well as its opening scene, which appears to dramatize ICE’s fatal shooting of Renée Good in Minnesota back in January.

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… pic.twitter.com/LBCQh4rEkh

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) October 2, 2026

Production was temporarily suspended earlier this month, resuming with a revised film permit last Tuesday, requiring the crew to ensure food pantry access for locals to the Livingston Food Resource Center, and shielding the public both from the shooting of violent scenes, as well as from noise. The production also agreed to address backlash to their use of private security, ensuring there would be no policing or harassing of locals on nearby public streets.

Shapiro decried the suspension as “a violation of the First Amendment,” calling the film’s critics “censorious jackasses” who oppose free speech.