Trejo’s Donuts says an expiring lease is ending its nearly decade-long Hollywood run — but promises this isn’t the final goodbye.
ByBernadette Giacomazzo
October 28, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Danny Trejo’s Hollywood donut shop will close October 29 after nearly a decade because its lease is expiring, though the business says it plans to open another location.
- Trejo says he is “pro-immigrant” and “not pro ICE” amid backlash over his role in the Daily Wire-associated Pawn Shop, while his son claims contractual restrictions prevent him from leaving or openly criticizing the film.
- Social media users flooded the closure announcement with ICE jokes, while Pawn Shop—starring Trejo, Harvey Keitel, and Henry Thomas—is expected in 2027.
Danny Trejo is closing his Hollywood donut shop, but some social media users are more interested in the actor’s controversial ICE movie than where they’ll get their next glazed donut.
According to ABC 7 Los Angeles, Trejo’s Donuts announced that its longtime Hollywood location will close Thursday, October 29, ending a nearly decade-long run near Highland Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard. The business cited an expiring lease as the reason for its closure.
“This is definitely not a final goodbye—we’re so excited to welcome you all to our next spot,” the shop wrote on Instagram.
But when ABC 7 Los Angeles shared the closure news on Instagram, the comments quickly turned to Trejo’s involvement in Pawn Shop, the controversial movie associated with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire.
“He chose the wrong ICE for his icing!” one commenter wrote, while another took aim at Trejo’s food businesses: “@officialdannytrejo puts to much ICEing on his donuts.”
Others weren’t particularly sympathetic about the closure.
“He should tell [ICE] to go support his crappy donuts,” one user commented.
Another added, “You mean the [ICE] agents aren’t supporting him back? 😂 Go figure!”
One commenter took a different approach, writing, “Over priced donuts like his tacos,” referencing Trejo’s other restaurant venture.
The reactions come as the Machete actor continues facing criticism over Pawn Shop, a film centered on an ICE officer who takes refuge inside a pawn shop amid unrest following the fatal shooting of Renée Good in Minneapolis.
Trejo, 82, plays the shop’s owner in the Michael Polish-directed movie, which also stars Harvey Keitel and Henry Thomas. The film is expected to arrive in 2027.
Trejo previously addressed the backlash, insisting that his participation in the project shouldn’t be mistaken for an endorsement of immigration enforcement.
“I am a proud Mexican who has always been and will always be a supporter of my community,” he said in a public statement. “I am also obviously pro-immigrant. I am not pro ICE.”
His son, Gilbert Trejo, subsequently defended him in an Instagram statement that circulated publicly through the San Fernando Sun/El Sol.
“He’s handcuffed to this stupid project,” Gilbert wrote, alleging that his father’s contract prevented him from criticizing the production or walking away without risking legal consequences.
Gilbert later expanded on those allegations in an interview with The Independent, claiming that his father initially accepted a role in an action movie before the Daily Wire became involved approximately two weeks into filming.
According to Gilbert, the screenplay was subsequently changed to reflect the company’s political messaging, prompting several cast and crew members to leave the production.
“My dad can’t really come out and say how he feels about any of this in any real way,” Gilbert told the outlet.
Those allegations about the production’s changes and Danny’s contractual restrictions have not been independently verified.
Gilbert also addressed his father’s previous work with the Daily Wire on the 2024 animated comedy Mr. Birchum, explaining that Danny accepted the voice-acting job because of his longtime relationship with creator Adam Carolla.
The younger Trejo insisted that his father remains committed to the Latino community despite the controversy.
“The idea that he doesn’t stand with or stand for his community is heartbreaking and depressing,” Gilbert said.
Meanwhile, Trejo’s Donuts has been a Hollywood fixture since opening in 2017. The shop occupies the former Donut Time location that appeared in the acclaimed independent film Tangerine.
The business has not announced when or where it will open its next location.
