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.'"
I have not always been a fan of Sean Penn, but I have to agree with him here. I do not believe Wyclef Jean has any intention of spending his life in Haiti helping the people there. If that were his intention he would have been there through these months. He has not.
Sean Penn is just another Jesse James-Cheater, Cheater, Cheater! Right now after his latest divorce he is in full blown Tiger Woods-esque PR mode trying to clean up his image. Who does he hink he is?
Empty headed losers bad mouth Sean Penn. I guess the empty headed losers can do a much better job than the other loser Wyclef. Empty headed losers are worthless spit balls that sit around and just bash and NOT contribute to anything but hot air NOTHING!!!
I would like to suggest that Sean Penn make a permanent move to Cuba or Venezuela with his dictator friends so that America doesn't have to hear him talk anymore. God bless his wife for putting up with him as long as she did.
The poorest country in the Western hemishpere. Those people have suffered for years. Even without an earthquake... I guess, he can do about the same as the other's... Abuse his power...
We should all question an entertainer's capability of running a country especially one so mired in political corruption and economic turmoil to begin with.
Agree 100% with Penn. Thank god someone has the guts to question Jeans' motives. Afterall, can anyone with any honesty see someone like 'Wyclef Jean' actually making his home (and thus LIVING in) in Haiti, long term??? The guy FLED years ago. QUESTION that. He'd end up legislating (in absentia) similar to the way out of state LANDLORDS do- with an iron fist out and arms-length, hands-off mindset. JUST what the Haitians need. NOT.
"Jean ripped off his own Haitian relief charity, imagine what he would do to that country".HOW DO YOU KNOW? is it because MR Penn has accused him? has it been proven did it go to a court?Mr Penn isn't an American he is a far left more in line with Marxists .sound like he would like the job. (Haitian presidency )
Sean Penn is a close personal friend to hopelessly insane Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. I have a hard time imagining Wyclef Jean being anywhere approaching as bad as Chavez. Sean Penn has out-stupided himself yet again.
Sean Penn helped my city tremendously in the aftermath of Katrina. I and many of my brothers and sisters will never forget him for that. And now he's in Haiti doing the same. I got nothing but love for you brother.
Sean Penn is certainly in Haiti working for the better good. But he thinks he's the only one with any philanthropic spirit. The guy makes me sick. Always criticizing everyone else and suspecting their motives. And accusing Yele Haiti of corruption? I think Jean should sue the self-righteous mo'fo.
PLEASE SPREAD THE NEWS: “WYCLEF JEAN IS NOT A FRIEND OF THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT OF HAITI.” The floating of his candidacy is just one more effort by the international forces, desperate to put a smiley face on a murderous military occupation, to undermine the will of the Haitian majority by making Wyclef Jean the Ronald Reagan of Haiti.
Sean Penn has been in Haiti for the past several months helping the people of that nation and some of you on here actually have the audacity to criticize this man? You're kidding, right?...
WHYCLEF CAN'T RUN FOR OFFICE IN HAITI!!! It literally says right in this article that he must have lived in Haiti for the five consecutive years before the election and never have held foreign citizenship. He hasn't lived there for the last 5 years, and he holds U.S. citizenship. End of story. The guy can't can't run according to Haitian law. PERIOD. He's delusional. He quotes himself and calls himself the "Haitian Moses".
Let whisper to Sean Penn _ HUSH_ no arguments time will tell let see if Wyclef Jean can make the invisible visible in Haiti. where do we start again you think you can be the president?????
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sean proably mad because he'd lie to be president himself
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hopefully the world will change for good..
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I have not always been a fan of Sean Penn, but I have to agree with him here. I do not believe Wyclef Jean has any intention of spending his life in Haiti helping the people there. If that were his intention he would have been there through these months. He has not.
Reply
Sean Penn is just another Jesse James-Cheater, Cheater, Cheater!
Right now after his latest divorce he is in full blown Tiger Woods-esque PR mode trying to clean up his image. Who does he hink he is?
Reply
Empty headed losers bad mouth Sean Penn. I guess the empty headed losers can do a much better job than the other loser Wyclef. Empty headed losers are worthless spit balls that sit around and just bash and NOT contribute to anything but hot air NOTHING!!!
Reply
I would like to suggest that Sean Penn make a permanent move to Cuba or Venezuela with his dictator friends so that America doesn't have to hear him talk anymore. God bless his wife for putting up with him as long as she did.
Reply
The poorest country in the Western hemishpere. Those people have suffered for years. Even without an earthquake... I guess, he can do about the same as the other's... Abuse his power...
Reply
We should all question an entertainer's capability of running a country especially one so mired in political corruption and economic turmoil to begin with.
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I agree. I don't know what to think about Sean Penn however the questions are valid questions and observations.
Agree 100% with Penn. Thank god someone has the guts to question Jeans' motives. Afterall, can anyone with any honesty see someone like 'Wyclef Jean' actually making his home (and thus LIVING in) in Haiti, long term??? The guy FLED years ago. QUESTION that. He'd end up legislating (in absentia) similar to the way out of state LANDLORDS do- with an iron fist out and arms-length, hands-off mindset. JUST what the Haitians need. NOT.
Reply
Sean Penn is a qualified to evaluate a Presidential candidate as Wyclef Jean is to be one.
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"Jean ripped off his own Haitian relief charity, imagine what he would do to that country".HOW DO YOU KNOW? is it because MR Penn has accused him? has it been proven did it go to a court?Mr Penn isn't an American he is a far left more in line with Marxists .sound like he would like the job. (Haitian presidency )
Reply
Sean Penn is a racist!! Ha-ha...how does if feel, Sean???
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Sean Penn is a close personal friend to hopelessly insane Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. I have a hard time imagining Wyclef Jean being anywhere approaching as bad as Chavez. Sean Penn has out-stupided himself yet again.
Reply
Sean Penn helped my city tremendously in the aftermath of Katrina. I and many of my brothers and sisters will never forget him for that. And now he's in Haiti doing the same. I got nothing but love for you brother.
Reply
Sean Penn is certainly in Haiti working for the better good. But he thinks he's the only one with any philanthropic spirit. The guy makes me sick. Always criticizing everyone else and suspecting their motives. And accusing Yele Haiti of corruption? I think Jean should sue the self-righteous mo'fo.
Reply
PLEASE SPREAD THE NEWS: “WYCLEF JEAN IS NOT A FRIEND OF THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT OF HAITI.” The floating of his candidacy is just one more effort by the international forces, desperate to put a smiley face on a murderous military occupation, to undermine the will of the Haitian majority by making Wyclef Jean the Ronald Reagan of Haiti.
Reply
Sean Penn has been in Haiti for the past several months helping the people of that nation and some of you on here actually have the audacity to criticize this man? You're kidding, right?...
Reply
WHYCLEF CAN'T RUN FOR OFFICE IN HAITI!!! It literally says right in this article that he must have lived in Haiti for the five consecutive years before the election and never have held foreign citizenship. He hasn't lived there for the last 5 years, and he holds U.S. citizenship. End of story. The guy can't can't run according to Haitian law. PERIOD. He's delusional. He quotes himself and calls himself the "Haitian Moses".
Reply
Let whisper to Sean Penn _ HUSH_ no arguments time will tell let see if Wyclef Jean can make the invisible visible in Haiti. where do we start again you think you can be the president?????
Reply