Jean in ‘Hiding’ While Awaiting Presidential Run

Former Fugee Wyclef Jean is making the most of his professed intent to become president of his native Haiti. Since announcing his bid for Haiti’s highest office, he’s met some resistance, including from an irked Sean Penn (is there any other kind?), and now he claims he’s had to go into “hiding” because of death threats from unknown hostile sources. All this suits the 24-hour news cycle just fine.  —KA

BBC:

Jean told The Associated Press he had received a series of warnings, including a phone call telling him to “get out of Haiti”.

The singer’s plans have stirred controversy in the Caribbean country with his ex-bandmate Pras Michel and actor Sean Penn among those criticising his bid.

Haiti’s electoral commission has also postponed its ruling on who will be allowed to run for president until 20 August.

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AP / Diane Bondareff

Wyclef Jean is overcome with emotion at a news conference in New York in January while discussing his visit to quake-stricken Haiti.