At a Glance
- Ye publicly apologized for antisemitic remarks, blaming an undiagnosed brain injury.
- He explained the injury occurred in a car crash 25 years ago and was diagnosed only in 2023.
- The apology follows a pattern of corporate severances and the Anti-Defamation League’s documentation of 30 incidents.
Why it matters: The apology signals a potential shift in Ye’s public image and may influence future business relationships.
Ye, the hip-hop artist formerly known as Kanye West, issued a full-page apology in The Wall Street Journal on Monday, explaining that a long-undiagnosed brain injury and mental health issues drove his antisemitic and racist statements. The apology follows a pattern of controversy that has led to corporate severances and scrutiny from the Anti-Defamation League.
Background of the Controversy
In early 2023, the Anti-Defamation League documented at least 30 antisemitic incidents nationwide that directly referenced Ye. These incidents ranged from tweets praising Adolf Hitler to a swastika image placed inside a Star of David. Corporations such as Adidas severed ties, and his Yeezy sneakers were pulled from shelves. The backlash prompted multiple apologies, including a Hebrew-written Instagram post in December 2023 that expressed regret for any pain caused.
The Apology in The Wall Street Journal
In a full-page advertisement titled “To Those I’ve Hurt,” Ye wrote:
> “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
> “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change.”
He explained that the right frontal lobe of his brain was injured in a car accident 25 years ago and was not properly diagnosed until 2023. The medical oversight, he said, caused serious damage to his mental health and led to a bipolar type-1 diagnosis. He added that he “lost touch with reality” and became detached from his true self.
Mental Health and Behavioral Episodes
Ye described a four-month manic episode in early 2025, during which he engaged in psychotic, paranoid, and impulsive behavior. He claimed that “rock bottom” occurred a few months later, and at the encouragement of his wife, Bianca Censori, he sought help. The treatment involved medication, therapy, exercise, and clean living, which he said helped him find a “new baseline and new center.”
Statements About Future Work
He noted that he is set to release a new album on Friday and expressed a desire for forgiveness, writing:
> “I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness. I write today to simply ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.”
Corporate and Public Reactions
The ADL did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Corporations such as Adidas have already cut ties, and the public’s reaction has been mixed. Some fans welcome the apology, while others remain skeptical, recalling his earlier statements that he would never apologize for his Jewish comments.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Car accident injuring right frontal lobe |
| 2023 | Diagnosis of bipolar type-1; ADL documents 30 incidents |
| Feb 2023 | Adidas ends partnership |
| Dec 2023 | Hebrew Instagram apology |
| Feb 2024 | Swastika image controversy |
| Feb 2025 | Four-month manic episode |
| Monday (current) | WSJ full-page apology |
Key Takeaways
- Ye attributes his antisemitic remarks to an undiagnosed brain injury and mental health issues.
- He has issued multiple apologies, the latest being a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal.
- The apology follows a pattern of corporate severances and ADL documentation of incidents.
- Ye is seeking forgiveness and a path toward accountability and treatment.
