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Penn, Wyclef Spar Over Haiti

Stars trading blows

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 9, 2010 2:30 AM CDT

(Newser) – Which celebrity can call "dibs" on being the most concerned about Haiti? Sean Penn is not impressed by Wyclef Jean's presidential plans because he's heard nothing of Wyclef's involvement in the nation for the entire six months the actor has been working for the people there, notes Gawker. "I'm not accusing Wyclef Jean of being an opportunist," Penn has told Larry King, sounding very much as if he is accusing Wyclef of being an opportunist. "I haven't seen or heard anything of him in these last six months that I've been in Haiti.''

Wyclef's answer? Maybe he has been in Haiti, and Sean Penn just doesn't know about it. "Everything he is saying is pure speculation," grouses Wyclef. "Because he is in one little area, he can't let that be judged for 9 million people in of a country. That's very unprofessional." Wyclef's charity Yele Haiti has raised more than $9 million since earthquake but has also come under fire for financial irregularities.

Singer Wyclef Jean gestures as he leaves the electoral office after submitting the paperwork last week to run for president of Haiti in the next elections. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Actor Sean Penn visits the US 82nd Airborne Division's forward operating base in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, file)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 17 comments

commentbob

Aug 9, 2010 11:34 PM CDT

Wyclef Jean should be outlawed out of Haiti...he looks like an opportunistic Jean...Haiti...get rid of him and kick him out before he gobbles up relief money and everybody becomes poorer...

arthurpa

Aug 9, 2010 2:56 PM CDT

Sean Penn is a socialist/communist. He would love to have a country.

Landshark

Aug 9, 2010 12:36 PM CDT

Pleeeaaasssse dont make me defend Sean Penn! Yes, the thought of Sean paddling around in a row boat post-Katrina seems to portray a celeb do-gooder with a superhero complex (admirable non the less)...but come on, over six months linving in a tent, rebuilding and handing out supplies...THAT'S PRETTY HARDCORE!

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Penn, Wyclef Spar Over Haiti

Stars trading blows

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Haiti • Sean Penn • Wyclef Jean • Haiti earthquake • wyclef jean haiti relief

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