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 don't know why people don't like Sean Penn but I agree with him. I like Wyclef as a musician but just because you have money and just because you are Haitian born doesn't mean you are qualified to be the president.
Wyclef Jean's actions are opportunistic. He can't help but push his way to the forefront of anything big that remotely has anything to do with him. I am sad for the people he claims to help.
I was one of the international election observers of the last presidential elections in Haiti in 2006. Considering how little progress has been made since then, and considering the lack of real change for the long-suffering population for the better in recent memory, and well .... with the history of this poor beleaguered country's appalling leadership, Haiti could do much worse than Wyclef Jean. Haitians want hope, and Jean represents its best chance for that right now. I hope he wins (I know he will win).
SORRY Trish; but he has raised money for Haiti before that never made it to Haiti. You want to trust him hire him. I do not trust him with other peoples money at all. BUT MOSTLY these people need real help and I hope they get real help. They are human beings not a token for someone to get rich off. GRRRR.
Wyclef Jean...President of Haiti, it sound absolutely ridiculous, Hait is in trouble and need proper Government not some Brooklyn hoodlum Rapper at the helm. On the other hand if he gets elected the people probably dont deserve anything better. A cheaps hood rise to politics LO
The first executive order for President Wyclef Jean should be the throw Sean Penn out of the country. Send him to Venezuela his buddy Hugo Chavez will take him in I'm sure. Say, could we just give Haiti Obama and his whole clan of lefties and we take Wyclef Jean for the remainder of Obama's term? I think that would be an even trade.
Haiti & America need more Sean Penn...if u've never lived in Haiti for an extended time simply stay out of this ...u might try ...as a Haitian i'm grateful to see a Sean Penn that (i had the honnor to meet) call it what it is .NOoooo!!!! we don't need another remote control! / puppet. wich part of ENOUGH don't they understand !...Haiti is not a laboratory !!!capece?! Sean Penn get my Vote !MAX BEAUVOIR get my vote !JEAN DOMINIQUE !(R.I.P) the real people of Haiti MUST KEEP the power ! WE DO HAVE BRAIN IN HAITI ..!Haiti is a muddy hill! watch out!
wyclef is already a rich man. he just wants the best for his country.400k is a lot of money but less than 5percent of 9million dollars.i think hes doing a great job.i also think s.pean is doing agreat job.lifting haiti is what they both want
How much more do the people of Haiti need to endure. First they had a horrible earthquake Second, Obama picked Bush "the village idiot" to be in charge of rebuilding the country – Obama wanted to get Bush out of US politics, therefore he sent him to Haiti to make a mess, just as he has made a mess of the US economy. Third – Now the other uneducated idiot, WJ wants to run for president. When is it enough? Atleast Bush's father paid a few people to help Bush graduate from college. WJ parent's simply allowed him drop-out.
Why so down on Sean Penn? He's done all the acting he wants to do, now he's concerned about actual life. Yours, mine. We should all be concerned, sh#t is about to hit the fan. There are more against the world, than for it. At least he's there, present, doing. Where's Wyclef? Counting the 13 mil and then some he has already collected for the "charity". Showing up in Haiti with luxury vehicles when the people are living in and outside of tents? no electricity, water, food, jobs, Hope??? Get real. Stop looking at the actor, and let's solve the problems -- which will hit us all very soon.
I agree with Sean, something is just not right about hi. Where is all the money going? People are still living on the street and we in the USA has raise so much money, that each person can have a place to stay.....
This kid does not know the constitutions'does not know the languages,does know dialec does not even the culture,going with private jet talking nonsense showing with big cars is what we hate the most overthere..
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I don't know why people don't like Sean Penn but I agree with him. I like Wyclef as a musician but just because you have money and just because you are Haitian born doesn't mean you are qualified to be the president.
Reply
Wyclef Jean's actions are opportunistic. He can't help but push his way to the forefront of anything big that remotely has anything to do with him. I am sad for the people he claims to help.
Reply
I was one of the international election observers of the last presidential elections in Haiti in 2006. Considering how little progress has been made since then, and considering the lack of real change for the long-suffering population for the better in recent memory, and well .... with the history of this poor beleaguered country's appalling leadership, Haiti could do much worse than Wyclef Jean. Haitians want hope, and Jean represents its best chance for that right now. I hope he wins (I know he will win).
Reply
Gee, Sean really knows his corrupt politicians, after all look at his love affair with the dictator Hugo.
Please, he needs to get a life!
Reply
SORRY Trish; but he has raised money for Haiti before that never made it to Haiti. You want to trust him hire him. I do not trust him with other peoples money at all. BUT MOSTLY these people need real help and I hope they get real help. They are human beings not a token for someone to get rich off. GRRRR.
Reply
"I was in Iraq you know!"
Team America Wold Police
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Wyclef Jean...President of Haiti, it sound absolutely ridiculous,
Hait is in trouble and need proper Government not some Brooklyn hoodlum Rapper at the helm. On the other hand if he gets elected the people probably dont deserve anything better. A cheaps hood rise to politics LO
Reply
Ritz For Haiti?
Reply
The first executive order for President Wyclef Jean should be the throw Sean Penn out of the country. Send him to Venezuela his buddy Hugo Chavez will take him in I'm sure. Say, could we just give Haiti Obama and his whole clan of lefties and we take Wyclef Jean for the remainder of Obama's term? I think that would be an even trade.
Reply
Haiti & America need more Sean Penn...if u've never lived in Haiti for an extended time simply stay out of this ...u might try ...as a Haitian i'm grateful to see a Sean Penn that (i had the honnor to meet) call it what it is .NOoooo!!!! we don't need another remote control! / puppet. wich part of ENOUGH don't they understand !...Haiti is not a laboratory !!!capece?! Sean Penn get my Vote !MAX BEAUVOIR get my vote !JEAN DOMINIQUE !(R.I.P) the real people of Haiti MUST KEEP the power ! WE DO HAVE BRAIN IN HAITI ..!Haiti is a muddy hill! watch out!
Reply
wyclef is already a rich man. he just wants the best for his country.400k is a lot of money but less than 5percent of 9million dollars.i think hes doing a great job.i also think s.pean is doing agreat job.lifting haiti is what they both want
Reply
How much more do the people of Haiti need to endure.
First they had a horrible earthquake
Second, Obama picked Bush "the village idiot" to be in charge of rebuilding the country – Obama wanted to get Bush out of US politics, therefore he sent him to Haiti to make a mess, just as he has made a mess of the US economy.
Third – Now the other uneducated idiot, WJ wants to run for president.
When is it enough?
Atleast Bush's father paid a few people to help Bush graduate from college. WJ parent's simply allowed him drop-out.
Reply
Who cares what Sean penn thinks, Wyclef has been doing things for Haiti way before the earthquake.
Reply
Why so down on Sean Penn? He's done all the acting he wants to do, now he's concerned about actual life. Yours, mine. We should all be concerned, sh#t is about to hit the fan. There are more against the world, than for it. At least he's there, present, doing. Where's Wyclef? Counting the 13 mil and then some he has already collected for the "charity". Showing up in Haiti with luxury vehicles when the people are living in and outside of tents? no electricity, water, food, jobs, Hope??? Get real. Stop looking at the actor, and let's solve the problems -- which will hit us all very soon.
Reply
The only thing Sean Penn did in New Orleans after Katrina was have a camera crew follow him around while he looked but did not raise a finger...
Reply
I agree with Sean, something is just not right about hi. Where is all the money going? People are still living on the street and we in the USA has raise so much money, that each person can have a place to stay.....
Reply
This kid does not know the constitutions'does not know the languages,does know dialec does not even the culture,going with private jet talking nonsense showing with big cars is what we hate the most overthere..
Reply