Kanye West Issues Public Apology for Antisemitic Remarks

Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, published a full-page apology in The Wall Street Journal on Monday, January 26, after years of antisemitic comments and public backlash.

Acknowledging Harm and Regret

In the advertisement, titled “To Those I’ve Hurt,” Ye wrote, “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.” He added, “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment and meaningful change.” He also directly addressed his Black fans, stating, “The Black community is, unquestionably, the foundation of who I am. I am so sorry to have let you down. I love us.”

Attributing Conduct to Medical Factors

Ye linked his past conduct to what he described as “medical oversight” stemming from a car accident 25 years ago. He stated the crash caused an injury to the right frontal lobe of his brain, which went undiagnosed until 2023. Following the diagnosis, he received a bipolar type-1 diagnosis.

He wrote that he “lost touch with reality,” adding that “in that fractured state, I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold t-shirts bearing it.” Ye said he experienced a “four-month long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior” in early 2025 and later “hit rock bottom.” He credited his wife, Bianca Censori, with encouraging him to seek help, and said he has found a “new baseline and new center” through “an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise and clean living.”

Previous Apologies and Fallout

This apology follows earlier attempts to retract his statements, including a late-2023 apology followed by renewed antisemitic statements online. In early 2023, the Anti-Defamation League documented at least 30 antisemitic incidents that directly referenced Ye. His public statements led to major brands and partners cutting ties, including Adidas.

A Plea for Patience and Understanding

Ye ended the advertisement by asking for time. “I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness,” he wrote. “I write today simply to request for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.”

Recent Appearances

The apology was published as Ye reportedly prepares to release a reworked version of his album BULLY on Friday, January 30. He and Bianca Censori attended the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, California as documented by Getty Images.