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.'"
why is there a problem if Wyclef Jean runs for president maybe he will help his country he probably wont be shady and courrupt and may do great things for a down trodden people and country he has tried to give back and build a better Haiti, so many people from so many countries have taken advantage of these people so why have a proplem with him. mr. penn needs to mind his business and try to help make a better USA he must have some shady money making scheme going on in Haiti and dont want to stop making money we need to stop the madness and remember we are all in this world together.
Besides being a hell of an actor Sean Penn has been there for the people forever. He was one of the first people in New Orleans getting his hands dirty when it happen. He has been there for Haiti at day one. He is one of the few Hollywood stars that I can say really cares. he is number one in my book. I dont see any other stars besides George Clooney who care about their fellow man.
Sean Penn cares about people. So I dont know why anyone would put him down. Stupid people build up talentless people like Paris Hilton who doesnt have an ounce of talent yet people flock to her. She is the devil and when someone helps people it is idiots like you who put them down. You are such a jerk.
There are plenty of people involved with Hati for years, not months, that can speak on the conditions and future of the island. But no, they parade this clown around.
Haitians should be very suspicious of someone like Wyclef Jean. Nelson Mandela- he is NOT. Mandela rose up the ranks in SA, not by LEAVING his country, but by his imprisonment. Jean? An adulterated opportunist with money stuffed in every orifice and a power monger agenda similar to that of, not Mandela, but Charles Taylor, the bling king. Sad.
Haitian people appreciated and should appreciate all helps and supports from Sean Penn. However, Mr. Penn is a philanthropist with an agenda. He is always on TV bragging about his work in Haiti. A lot people gave help to Haiti inconditonally. Mr. Penn will do better if talking less about politics in Haiti. Otherwise, he is going to have to answer questions about his motive for suspecting Wyclef Jean candidacy.
Besides having been born in Haiti and visiting the place once or twice a year, what are Mr Wyclef's executive creditials? Has he ever held office? Has he ever managed a corporation? I have yet to hear about any managment or governing skills he might possess. What I do know is there's a cloud over the way he managed money for his charity, which doesn't say much for him. I frankly hope his announcement about running for presidency in Haiti is a belated April Fool's Day joke.
Since Haitians can't vote legally or illegally for Obama (yet), Obama has conviently forgot about them have his lapdogs at ABC,CBS,NBC, the clinton news network CNN and of course PSMBC who is only watched by the same smucks who watch Opah. Sean Pean, its a shame you really didn't go down with the Titanic, you sissy boy.
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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.
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why is there a problem if Wyclef Jean runs for president maybe he will help his country he probably wont be shady and courrupt and may do great things for a down trodden people and country he has tried to give back and build a better Haiti, so many people from so many countries have taken advantage of these people so why have a proplem with him. mr. penn needs to mind his business and try to help make a better USA he must have some shady money making scheme going on in Haiti and dont want to stop making money we need to stop the madness and remember we are all in this world together.
Reply
Besides being a hell of an actor Sean Penn has been there for the people forever. He was one of the first people in New Orleans getting his hands dirty when it happen. He has been there for Haiti at day one. He is one of the few Hollywood stars that I can say really cares. he is number one in my book. I dont see any other stars besides George Clooney who care about their fellow man.
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Is Sean aware that the world knows he is a joke?
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Please Tell Me Who Sean Penn Is ???
And who in the world doesn't like a good joke?? You could only wish you had an ounce of his humanitarianism and philanthropy.
Sean Penn cares about people. So I dont know why anyone would put him down. Stupid people build up talentless people like Paris Hilton who doesnt have an ounce of talent yet people flock to her. She is the devil and when someone helps people it is idiots like you who put them down. You are such a jerk.
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Paris Has What It Takes and She is Not As Stupid as you think!And She has enough money to purchase Haiti.
He is not a joke. But now the world knows you are. LOL
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i wish americans would help out here. there alot of work to do in are inter citys but i guess not a good photo op.
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It used to be actor and politicians stayed on their own turf, with an occasional exception like John Wilkes Booth.
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Who is Sean Penn ?
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Think Sean Penn should run for President of Haiti and should stay there whether he wins or loses.
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There are plenty of people involved with Hati for years, not months, that can speak on the conditions and future of the island. But no, they parade this clown around.
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Haitians should be very suspicious of someone like Wyclef Jean. Nelson Mandela- he is NOT. Mandela rose up the ranks in SA, not by LEAVING his country, but by his imprisonment. Jean? An adulterated opportunist with money stuffed in every orifice and a power monger agenda similar to that of, not Mandela, but Charles Taylor, the bling king. Sad.
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sean penn should be president of haiti. we sure as hell don't want him back in the US.
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Haitian people appreciated and should appreciate all helps and supports from Sean Penn. However, Mr. Penn is a philanthropist with an agenda. He is always on TV bragging about his work in Haiti. A lot people gave help to Haiti inconditonally. Mr. Penn will do better if talking less about politics in Haiti. Otherwise, he is going to have to answer questions about his motive for suspecting Wyclef Jean candidacy.
Reply
Besides having been born in Haiti and visiting the place once or twice a year, what are Mr Wyclef's executive creditials? Has he ever held office? Has he ever managed a corporation? I have yet to hear about any managment or governing skills he might possess. What I do know is there's a cloud over the way he managed money for his charity, which doesn't say much for him. I frankly hope his announcement about running for presidency in Haiti is a belated April Fool's Day joke.
Reply
Since Haitians can't vote legally or illegally for Obama (yet), Obama has conviently forgot about them have his lapdogs at ABC,CBS,NBC, the clinton news network CNN and of course PSMBC who is only watched by the same smucks who watch Opah. Sean Pean, its a shame you really didn't go down with the Titanic, you sissy boy.
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Sean Penn is a dummy who should just keep his mouth shut because no one cares.
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And you?, are an idiot. Jealous much of people much bigger (and more giving) than thou?