Kanye ‘Ye’ West releases statement apologising for antisemitic comments

Warning: This article contains discussion of anti-semitism which some readers may find distressing.

Kanye West has issued a lengthy public apology for his antisemitic comments, attributing his behaviour to an undiagnosed brain injury and mental health issues.

As reported by Vanity Fair, the 48-year-old disgraced rapper, who more commonly goes by 'Ye', took out a full-page paid advertisement in Monday's (26 January) print edition of the The Wall Street Journal.

In the essay, titled 'To Those I've Hurt,' West admitted he 'lost touch with reality' and 'said and did things' he 'deeply regrets'.

For those who need a reminder, the rapper tweeted a slew of hateful messages about Jewish people in October 2022, which led to his account being banned on both Twitter and Instagram.

It also prompted brands he was working with at the time, such as Adidas, Balenciaga and his talent agency CAA, to stop doing business with him.

He apologised in December 2023, but then in February 2025, he shared another series of antisemitic posts to social media, some of the most shocking of which read: "I love Hitler" and "I'm a Nazi."

Kanye West has issued a public apology for his antisemitic comments (Gotham/GC Images)

Now, as we say, West has apologised with a lengthy statement which began by discussing a 2002 car accident that left him with a shattered jaw.

He wrote: "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.

"At the time, the focus was on the visible damage - the fracture, the swelling, and the immediate physical trauma. The deeper injury, the one inside my skull, went unnoticed."

West claimed: "Comprehensive scans were not done, neurological exams were limited, and the possibility of a frontal-lobe injury was never raised. It wasn't properly diagnosed until 2023. That medical oversight caused serious damage to my mental health and led to my bipolar type-1 diagnosis.

"Bipolar disorder comes with its own defense system. Denial. When you're manic, you don't think you're sick. You think everyone else is overreacting. You feel like you're seeing the world more clearly than ever, when in reality you're losing your grip entirely."

The rapper added that once people 'label you as 'crazy', you feel as if you cannot contribute anything meaningful to the world' and explained how it's 'easy for people to joke and laugh it off when in fact this is a very serious debilitating disease you can die from'.

He recalled how his wife Bianca Censori encouraged him to 'finally get help' (Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)

"The scariest thing about this disorder is how persuasive it is when it tells you: You don't need help. It makes you blind, but convinced you have insight. You feel powerful, certain, and unstoppable," he added.

West described how 'things got worse' the longer he 'ignored the problem' and admitted he treated some of the people he 'loves the most the worst'.

Speaking directly to them, he added: "You endured fear, confusion, humiliation, and the exhaustion of trying to love someone who was, at times, unrecognisable. Looking back, I became detached from my true self."

The musician continued: "In that fractured state, I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold t-shirts bearing it.

"One of the difficult aspects of having bipolar type-1 are the disconnected moments - many of which I still cannot recall - that lead to poor judgment and reckless behaviour that oftentimes feels like an out-of-body experience.

"I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did, though. I am not a Nazi or antisemite. I love Jewish people.

"To the black community - which held me down through all of the highs and lows and darkest of times. The black community is, unquestionably, the foundation of who I am. I am so sorry to have let you down. I love us."

West then went into detail on the 'four-month long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed his life' in early 2025.

He penned: "As the situation became increasingly unsustainable, there were times I didn't want to be here anymore.

It comes after the rapper's slew of hateful tweets in early 2025 (ROBYN BECK/Getty Images)

"Having bipolar disorder is not a state of constant mental illness. When you go through the manic episode, you are ill at that point. When you are not in an episode, you are completely "normal." And that's when the wreckage from the illness hits the hardest."

He recalled how he 'hit rock bottom' a few months ago and his wife, Bianca Censori, encouraged him to finally get help.

The musician continued: "'I have found comfort in Reddit forums of all places. Different people speak of being in manic or depressive episodes of a similar nature. I read their stories and realized that I was not alone."

He also touched on being misdiagnosed with autism, writing: "It's not just me who ruins their entire life once a year despite taking meds every day and being told by the so-called best doctors in the world that I am not bipolar, but merely experiencing 'symptoms of autism'.

"My words as a leader in my community have real global impact and influence. In my mania, I lost complete sight of that.

"As I find my new baseline and new center through an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise and clean living, I have newfound, much-needed clarity. I am pouring my energy into positive, meaningful art: music, clothing, design, and other new ideas to help the world."

West signed off with: "I'm not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness. I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home."

If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.

If you are the victim of an antisemitic incident or you have information regarding an antisemitic incident that happened to somebody else, contact the CST National Emergency Number on 0800 032 3263. In an emergency, always call 999.