The actor did not comment on the National Anti-Corruption Bureau investigation, and the video on this topic was fabricated by propagandists. Since the very beginning of the full-scale invasion, the actor has repeatedly visited Ukraine, met with Volodymyr Zelensky, and consistently supported the country in the fight against Russian aggression.
Russian propaganda sources are spreading the news that Hollywood actor Sean Penn allegedly canceled his planned trip to Ukraine due to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau investigation into the corruption scandal in the energy sector. A video with the logo of the tabloid E! News, which has spread online, claims that Penn named health problems as the official reason for canceling the visit, but insiders close to the actor reported that it was a matter of «deep disappointment with Volodymyr Zelensky and his team».
However, this video was fabricated by propagandists, and the news is made up. First, the E! News website did not publish this video: a search for the keyword «Sean Penn» on the official website of the media outlet only finds typical tabloid texts about the actor’s family and personal relationships. Second, the voice-over in the video was done with the help of AI, as indicated by the monotonous pronunciation and bizarre accents in several words. And third, the video says that Sean Penn canceled his planned «second trip» to Ukraine, while in reality during the full-scale war, the actor visited the country at least nine times.
Sean Penn has repeatedly met with the Ukrainian military and stated that they «protect not only Ukraine, but the whole world». In Kyiv, Penn also met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and presented him with one of his Oscar awards — as a symbol of faith in Ukraine’s victory. In response, the president awarded the actor the Order of Merit, 3rd degree, for his loyal support and promotion of Ukraine in the world. During other trips, Penn visited Bucha and Irpin to personally see the consequences of Russian crimes and film them for a documentary. Through his organization CORE Response, the actor also supports Ukrainian IDPs, participates in the restoration of destroyed social infrastructure, utilities (water and gas supply) and shelters.
For another refutation of the fake narrative about foreign celebrities helping Ukraine, read the article Fake: The Sun and Charlie Hebdo Covered Extortion of Angelina Jolie in Ukraine.
