Danny Trejo pushed back on criticism over his starring role in the Daily Wire film Pawn Shop, saying he supports immigrants even though the movie has been described as a pro-ICE production. “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,” Trejo said, in a statement reported by Variety.
Trejo added, “I know where I come from and I know our struggles. I am an actor. My job is to tell a story.” A version of the statement posted separately and reported by Deadline opened with the line “Make no mistake” and closed with “God Bless you, Danny.”
Backlash Over Pawn Shop’s Opening Scene
Pawn Shop is produced by Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire and has drawn criticism for an opening scene that appeared to recreate a real-life ICE shooting. Deadline reported the scene dramatizes the fatal shooting of Renée Good by ICE in Minnesota in January.
Trejo stars in the film alongside Harvey Keitel, who plays a fellow veteran hired by Trejo’s character to work at the pawn shop, and Henry Thomas, according to Deadline. Variety reported that Trejo told people on set he was drawn to the role because it offered a positive depiction of a Latino veteran, citing TMZ.
Production Shutdown In Montana
The Pawn Shop shoot was also shut down in Livingston, Montana, after residents complained about the production’s effect on the local food bank and about inadequate warnings before hazardous stunts, Variety reported. Deadline reported that locals protested the use of blank gunfire, pyrotechnics and a staged car wreck without proper notice to nearby residents and businesses.
Production resumed the following Monday after the shutdown, according to Variety. Shapiro criticized the halt as an act of content discrimination and a violation of the First Amendment, Variety reported.
What’s Next
Daily Wire has not announced a release date for Pawn Shop. Trejo’s statement addressed the criticism directly but did not detail what, if any, further response he plans to make as the production continues.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
