After Haitian native Wyclef Jean announced on CNN on August 5 that he plans on running for the country’s presidency, Sean Penn stated his skepticism over the rapper’s values he would bring as a leader, Popeater.com is reporting.  “…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.

The two-time Academy Award-winning actor has been very active in the relief following the January earthquake in Haiti. He alleged that Jean didn’t properly handle a $400,000 donation for the country through his Yele Haiti foundation, and that the money didn’t reach the victims. Penn is also suspicious of Jean’s political motives, saying that the former Fugees singer “could well have been influenced by the promise of support of companies,” and could become an opportunist in spite of Hatians’ needs.

In response, Jean told the Associated Press (AP) that “I just want (Sean) Penn to fully understand I am a Haitian…He might just want to pick up the phone and met, so he fully understands the man.”

Written by: Karen Benardello