One might assume Danny Trejo had behaved inappropriately toward a background performer or mistreated a staff member.
Public figures can make mistakes like anyone else, yet Trejo has maintained a record of good citizenship for decades, long after his early encounters with the law.
A film was even produced about that difficult chapter of his life.
Today, however, Trejo is facing fierce criticism from progressive voices. His decision to co-star in a Daily Wire production drew the initial backlash. Even more troubling to detractors? The film reportedly adopts a stance favorable to ICE on immigration.
Such a position appears to be considered unacceptable.
The pressure became so intense that Trejo felt compelled to issue a statement to TMZ explaining himself. At 82 years old, he chose to make a film offering a perspective rarely seen in his industry.
That, apparently, was his offense.
Now, The Hollywood Reporter is detailing how Trejo allegedly became involved with Ben Shapiro’s conservative company unintentionally. The film, titled “Pawn Shop,” has reportedly drawn serious criticism from left-wing activists. Here is how the outlet described the upcoming film without having seen it:
…it’s not hard to imagine Stephen Miller in the front row, hugging a big bucket of popcorn.
Is that inherently objectionable? Should Republicans be allowed to see their worldview represented on the big screen? Given that no mainstream media outlet objected to the extreme harassment directed at the “Pawn Shop” cast and crew, the answer seems clear.
Turning back to Trejo.
The actor declined to speak to The Hollywood Reporter on the matter—which was his right. Still, the outlet attempted to do damage control on his behalf, despite having targeted him in the first place.
… a source close to the production says he had no idea the film was produced by Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire, the conservative media company behind MAGA-leaning titles such as the 2023 comedy Lady Ballers.
It also turns out Trejo previously worked with The Daily Wire, providing a voice for its animated series “Mr. Birchum.”
Now, The Hollywood Reporter is turning up the pressure:
But Pawn Shop is considerably harder to mistake for just another acting job.
In reality, it is exactly that—an acting job. Literally.
It is a role in a film he accepted because he has agency and the freedom to choose his work. He is not obligated to adhere to only one side of an issue, and he can disagree with a film’s perspective while still regarding it as a viable opportunity.
Going forward, Trejo may need to carefully vet future roles. Alternatively, some casting directors might decide it is not worth associating with the star for fear of provoking his liberal co-stars.
Opportunities may simply dry up, as they sometimes do for performers over 80.
Either way, the media and the political left sought to make an example of an elderly man to discourage other actors from accepting the “wrong” project.
That objective appears to have been achieved.