Rapper and former Fugees singer Wyclef Jean made the first televised announcement of his bid for the Haitian presidency last night on CNN. After several satellite interview segments between Wyclef and Wolf Blitzer, philanthropist and actor Sean Penn shared harsh words for the Haitian-born rapper, questioning his motives and value as a leader.
"This is somebody who's going to receive an enormous amount of support from the United States, and I have to say I'm very suspicious of it, simply because he, as an ambassador at large, has been virtually silent. For those of us in Haiti, he has been a non-presence," Penn said.
Jean, 37, was born in Haiti but left soon after and was raised in Brooklyn and New Jersey. He established the Yelé Haiti foundation in 2004, providing aid and opportunities to the country's citizens.
Penn, who has been very active on the ground in Haiti since the earthquake, highlighted allegations that Wyclef mishandled $400,000 donated for the country through his Yele Haiti foundation. "He claims he didn't do it. That has to be looked into it," Penn said. "I've been there. I know what $400,000 could do for these people's lives."
Wyclef's political motives were of particular concern to Penn. "I see in Wyclef Jean somebody who could well have been influenced by the promise of support of companies. I think Haiti is clearly vulnerable ... There is a history of American interests coming in and underpaying people. This is a culture of one to two dollars a day, that they were making."
Penn openly worried about American corporations and individuals "enamored" with Wyclef becoming "opportunists on the back of the Haitian people."
Jean responded to Penn's comments in an interview with the Associated Press: "I just want Sean Penn to fully understand I am a Haitian, born in Haiti and I've been coming to my country ever since (I was) a child. He might just want to pick up the phone and meet, so he fully understands the man."
Wyclef's estimated yearly income -- up to $18 million -- is "more than 13,000 times more than the average Haitian sees in a year -- assuming that person even has a job," the AP reports.
"I haven't seen or heard anything of [Wyclef Jean] in these last six months that I've been in Haiti. I think he's an important voice. I hope he doesn't sacrifice that voice by taking the eye off the very devastating realities on the ground," Penn said. "I want to see someone who's really, really willing to sacrifice for their country, and not just someone who I personally saw with vulgar entourage of vehicles that demonstrated a wealth in Haiti that, in context, I felt was a very obscene demonstration."
In 2008, Wyclef recorded a song called 'If I Was President'. Notable lyrics include: "If I was president / I'd get elected on Friday / Assasinated on Saturday / And buried on Sunday" and "Instead of spending billions on the war / We can use some of that money, in the ghetto / I know some so poor, when it rains that when they shower / Screaming 'fight the power.'"
Who cares about what Sean Penn thinks or who he backs in the political arena or anything else as far as that goes. He should stick to what he knows best.... Nothing.
I'm not a fan of Sean Penn at all but at least he is helping the people of Haiti. You can donate money and record songs, but to actually give time is something most are too lazy to do
Mike, your an idiot. Sean Penn has been there from the beginning for those people. He was there after hurricane Katrina. He is a caring and giving person who devotes himself to helping others without the spotlight.
Mike, it seems that the only person that knows nothing is you. Check out what Mr. Penn has done for the last 6-7 months in Haiti. What have you done besides run your mouth and bad mouth someone who has taken on a thankless job of helping the people over there.
What Qualifies Sean Penn as a spokesperson on war, politics or anything else. He is an actor his opinion ways no more than mine. Actually mine is worth more, im a Customer Service Mgr. I manage over 100 people therefore im more qualified to speak about the war in Iraq and any other world event. Exactly, you don't care what I think so why should we care what Pac Man thinks, he was awesome in Colors though!
I think I know why this person(?) has written this - it wants attention it can't get from someone of somewhere else. So it gripes agout a man who has helped people out because he wants to...thanks Mr. Penn!
Yeah, Sean's great - he needs to go hang out with his buddy Hugo Chavez some more - now THERE'S a great leader. Penn is yet another misguided Hollywood idiot living in a fantasy world, buddying up to dictators because they are 'really nice guys when you get to know them'. Yeah, they are nice when they are star-struck and want to meet someone from their favorite movies. Sean, you are just another gold-plated Rolls Royce to Chavez. If you were a native, he wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire. If Wyclef can bring lots of U.S. support and attention to Haiti, looks like a winner to me. And he knows damn well everyone will be watching his every move, so I doubt he's in it for what he can take.
Tell me cowofotis, where did you learn all about Hugo Chavez? How many times have you been to Cuba? Chavez has been nothing short of a savior for his country, and has been democratically elected by his people since 1998. The trade embargo on Cuba by the United States is abhorrant, and has done more damage and harm to the people there than anything Chavez has ever done.
You're so quick to call Chavez a dictator, then ignore the US calling for globalization, effectively creating a world dictatorship.
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Who cares about what Sean Penn thinks or who he backs in the political arena or anything else as far as that goes. He should stick to what he knows best.... Nothing.
Reply
I'm not a fan of Sean Penn at all but at least he is helping the people of Haiti. You can donate money and record songs, but to actually give time is something most are too lazy to do
Mike, your an idiot. Sean Penn has been there from the beginning for those people. He was there after hurricane Katrina. He is a caring and giving person who devotes himself to helping others without the spotlight.
Couldnt agree any more !!!!!!!
Mike, it seems that the only person that knows nothing is you. Check out what Mr. Penn has done for the last 6-7 months in Haiti. What have you done besides run your mouth and bad mouth someone who has taken on a thankless job of helping the people over there.
Jean ripped off his own Haitian relief charity, imagine what he would do to that country.
You took the words right out of my mouth. WHO CARES, Sean penn has lost another movie viewer. Who cares what he has to say?
Now c'mon. To be fair, he does know how to chew the scenery in every part he's ever played.
I could not agree more with Mike.
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you ans mike must be sleeping in the same bed huh????
What Qualifies Sean Penn as a spokesperson on war, politics or anything else. He is an actor his opinion ways no more than mine. Actually mine is worth more, im a Customer Service Mgr. I manage over 100 people therefore im more qualified to speak about the war in Iraq and any other world event. Exactly, you don't care what I think so why should we care what Pac Man thinks, he was awesome in Colors though!
I hope you know how stupid you sound. Do you even know how much Sean Penn is involved with Haiti?
SCARRY THIUGHT !!! Wyclef Jean as President of Haiti ????????
Those people are poor enough.....
DONT LET IT HAPPEN !!! NO !!!
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He's taking a cue from AHNOLD! Lord help them.
I think I know why this person(?) has written this - it wants attention it can't get from someone of somewhere else. So it gripes agout a man who has helped people out because he wants to...thanks Mr. Penn!
Reply
Yeah, Sean's great - he needs to go hang out with his buddy Hugo Chavez some more - now THERE'S a great leader. Penn is yet another misguided Hollywood idiot living in a fantasy world, buddying up to dictators because they are 'really nice guys when you get to know them'. Yeah, they are nice when they are star-struck and want to meet someone from their favorite movies. Sean, you are just another gold-plated Rolls Royce to Chavez. If you were a native, he wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire.
If Wyclef can bring lots of U.S. support and attention to Haiti, looks like a winner to me. And he knows damn well everyone will be watching his every move, so I doubt he's in it for what he can take.
Reply
Tell me cowofotis, where did you learn all about Hugo Chavez? How many times have you been to Cuba? Chavez has been nothing short of a savior for his country, and has been democratically elected by his people since 1998. The trade embargo on Cuba by the United States is abhorrant, and has done more damage and harm to the people there than anything Chavez has ever done.
You're so quick to call Chavez a dictator, then ignore the US calling for globalization, effectively creating a world dictatorship.
Uh, Jack, Hugo Chavez is not the President of Cuba. He's the dictatorial President of Venezuela.
I too am mystified why he would run for the Presidency.
Reply
Follow the money. Why does anyone go into politics? They get rich.