Rapper Kanye West, a.k.a. Ye, has taken out a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal offering a public apology for his past antisemitic statements and related behavior that plagued his public profile over the past few years. The letter, published on January 26, 2026, lays out his perspective on what led to those actions and outlines his commitment to personal accountability and treatment.
In the letter, titled “To Those I’ve Hurt,” Ye attributed a significant portion of his past conduct to an undiagnosed brain injury sustained in a 2002 car accident, which he says was only properly identified in 2023 as damage to his frontal lobe. He connected the injury to the development of bipolar type-1 disorder, explaining that untreated mental illness led to periods in which he “lost touch with reality” and engaged in behavior he today regrets. “I lost touch with reality. Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem,” he wrote, acknowledging episodes of “reckless behavior” and admitting actions that deeply hurt others.
Ye directly addressed the controversies that sparked broad backlash, including the use of Nazi imagery and antisemitic rhetoric that saw him selling swastika-emblazoned merchandise and making inflammatory remarks in public forums. “In that fractured state, I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find… I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state,” he wrote, and added plainly, “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.” He also offered an apology to the Black community, referring to it as “unquestionably, the foundation of who I am,” and expressing remorse for letting people down during his turbulent episodes.
Ye recounted that his struggles included a four-month manic episode in early 2025, during which paranoia, impulsivity and psychosis worsened before he ultimately sought help. He outlined steps he says he is taking toward recovery — including medication, therapy, exercise and lifestyle changes — and expressed a desire to channel his creative energy into “positive, meaningful art.” He concluded the letter by writing that he’s “not asking for sympathy, or a free pass,” but instead hopes to “earn your forgiveness.”
The apology comes after years of fallout that saw major brands and partners, including Adidas and entertainment agencies, cut ties following his comments. Since then, he has been embroiled in a couple of incidents where his erratic behaviors drew sharp criticisms from the public.