American rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, has issued a public apology for his past antisemitic remarks, attributing his controversial behaviour to an undiagnosed brain injury and untreated mental health challenges.
According to Daily Mail, the rapper took out a full-page advertisement in the Monday, January 26, print edition of The Wall Street Journal, where he addressed those he says were hurt by his actions.
The message, titled “To Those I’ve Hurt,” was signed by West and marked as “Paid for by Yeezy,” with contact details for the company’s chief financial officer included.
In the letter, Ye claimed that a car accident over 20 years ago left him with an injury to his right frontal lobe that went unnoticed at the time. He alleged that the lack of proper neurological evaluation contributed to long-term mental health issues, including bipolar disorder.
“Twenty-five years ago, I was in a car accident that broke my jaw and caused injury to the right frontal lobe of my brain,” the statement read. “The deeper injury, the one inside my skull, went unnoticed.”
West said the injury was not properly diagnosed until 2023, adding that the medical oversight had a profound impact on his mental health and ultimately led to a bipolar type-1 diagnosis.
“That medical oversight caused serious damage to my mental health and led to my bipolar type-1 diagnosis,” he wrote.
Describing bipolar disorder as a “debilitating disease,” Ye explained that mania often comes with denial, making sufferers believe they are in control while losing touch with reality.
“When you’re manic, you don’t think you’re sick. You think everyone else is overreacting… when in reality you’re losing your grip entirely,” he said.
The rapper admitted that during his mental health struggles, he became detached from his identity and acted in ways he now deeply regrets.
“I lost touch with reality. Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem. I said and did things I deeply regret,” he wrote, adding that those close to him endured “fear, confusion, humiliation, and exhaustion.”
West revealed that he experienced a four-month manic episode in early 2025, which he said “destroyed my life.” He credited his wife, Bianca Censori, for pushing him to seek professional help after reaching what he described as rock bottom.
“In early 2025, I fell into a four-month-long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior that destroyed my life,” Ye wrote. “Hitting rock bottom a few months ago, my wife encouraged me to finally get help.”
Addressing his antisemitic outbursts, Ye described them as moments of disconnection and poor judgment, admitting that he gravitated toward extreme and harmful symbolism.
“In that fractured state, I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold t-shirts bearing it,” he said, calling those actions “deeply mortifying.”
He stressed that while his illness may explain his behaviour, it does not excuse it.
“I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change,” he wrote. “I am not a Nazi or antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
West also apologised directly to the Black community, acknowledging their longstanding support.
“To the black community… I am so sorry to have let you down. I love us,” he wrote.
The rapper said he has since found stability through medication, therapy, exercise and lifestyle changes, noting that online forums helped him realise he was not alone in his struggles.
“My words as a leader in my community have real global impact and influence. In my mania, I lost complete sight of that,” he admitted.
He concluded the letter by asking for patience rather than sympathy as he works toward recovery.
“I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness,” Ye wrote. “I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.”
West’s antisemitic comments, which began in late 2022, led to widespread backlash and the loss of major business partnerships.
At the time, brands including Adidas, Balenciaga and GAP cut ties with the rapper, while JP Morgan reportedly severed its banking relationship. His talent agency, Creative Artists Agency, also announced it would no longer represent him.
