Danny Trejo Couldn't Afford to Quit Pro-ICE Film: Son — SkimNews
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- Danny Trejo accepted a role in "Pawn Shop," a pro-ICE indie film produced by Ben Shapiro's The Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend, without learning of the producers' involvement until about two weeks before filming wrapped on October 9, his agent Gloria Hinojosa told IndieWire on October 13.
- Gilbert Trejo said his 82-year-old father couldn't walk away or publicly criticize "Pawn Shop" because he couldn't afford potential litigation, noting Trejo filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2023 owing roughly $3 million in tax debts, with about 90 percent of his income coming from acting.
- Danny Trejo had previously voiced a character on The Daily Wire+ animated comedy "Mr. Birchum," announced in December 2023 with Bonfire Legend's Dallas Sonnier producing and Shapiro as executive producer — Gilbert described that assignment as a casual acquaintance asking his dad to voice a cartoon.
- The "Pawn Shop" screenplay, verified by a crew member and reviewed by IndieWire, includes a sequence resembling the fatal shooting of Renée Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis earlier this year; the film was shot in Livingston, Montana, prompting protests and a temporary suspension of its shooting permit.
- Danny Trejo released a statement saying "I am a proud Mexican who has always been and always will be a supporter of my community. I am also obviously, pro immigrant. I am not pro ice," while framing acting as his job to "tell a story."
- SAG-AFTRA told IndieWire productions should give performers enough information to make informed decisions, and that "misleading a performer about the role may undermine the meeting of the minds required to form a binding contract."
Why it matters: Gilbert's framing shifts the controversy from Trejo's values to his finances: a 2023 Chapter 11 plan to repay roughly $3 million in tax debts, with 90 percent of his income from acting, meant walking away risked the livelihood funding his prison, school, and recovery-meeting outreach. SAG-AFTRA's statement that misleading a performer about a role may undermine contract formation gives the union a possible lever to revisit Trejo's deal.
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