Left Bullies 82-Year-Old Screen Icon for Daily Wire Gig
'Machete' alum backpedals for taking role in pro-ICE indie film
Danny Trejo nearly became another statistic.
Trejo got into endless trouble as a young man, dealing drugs and committing armed robbery during his teen years. He spent too much time behind bars between the years 1959-1968.
Rather than spiral further, he turned his life around. He found God and got sober. That remarkable journey fueled “Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo.”
The burly Trejo, now 82, later became an in-demand character actor, co-starring in popular films like “From Dusk ‘Til Dawn,” “Heat,” “Con Air” and two “Machete” films.
The latter put him front and center at long last. His latest role may be the first of his decades-long career where he was forced to do damage control.
Trejo co-stars in “Pawn Shop,” the working title for a new Daily Wire original film. We don’t know much about the project, but by all accounts the story takes a pro-ICE perspective on immigration control. The project recently wrapped production in a small Montana town, but not before locals did all they could to disrupt the shoot.
Loud noises. Violent threats. And more.
Leftists tried to SHUT DOWN production on the Daily Wire’s upcoming movie because it hurts their feelings…
Cringy protesters, violent threats, and a SEVEN HOUR city council meeting later, we’re back.
We’re not stopping, and the movie kicks ass.
How it went down 🧵 https://t.co/RQDVxG7P8F
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) October 6, 2026
It’s a clear attack on creativity, one that no media outlet complained about. Some cheered it on.
Still, Trejo clearly felt pressure from the Left for taking the role in the first place. That’s why he released a statement to TMZ clarifying his views on ICE and immigration.
“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.”
Now, what other actors have had to defend themselves for taking a role in a film with a specific point of view? If Mikey Madison didn’t believe Facebook directly fueled the Jan. 6 riots, did she have to say as much to the press?
How often do 80-year-old stars apologize for taking roles?
Trejo’s statement serves another purpose. He’s asking forgiveness from his fellow Hollywood denizens. The unsaid part of the statement is clear.
“I don’t believe the film’s perspective. Please consider me for future roles. I’m one of you … I’m not like them.”
It’s bullying, plain and simple. And it’s hardly the first time. The Left bullied Jimmy Fallon into becoming yet another anti-Trump late-night host, and it worked perfectly. His ratings never recovered.
Some media outlets suggested Taylor Swift had White Nationalist tendencies after she refused to support Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign.
She soon embraced the Left’s talking points.
Sydney Sweeney has suffered endless bullying for being apolitical. Glen Powell, who just took a defiantly apolitical position, may be next.
The message here isn’t aimed at Trejo, per se. It’s targeting any actor who would dare star in a Daily Wire original or any project that didn’t align with the progressive world view.
We see you. Choose your roles accordingly, or the gigs may mysteriously dry up.
What’s your favorite Danny Trejo movie?