Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has published a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal apologizing for his past antisemitic statements. The 48-year-old artist attributes his remarks to mental health struggles stemming from a car crash over two decades ago and his bipolar type-1 disorder. He expresses deep regret and commits to treatment and positive change.
In a candid full-page ad titled "To Those I’ve Hurt," published in The Wall Street Journal, Ye opens up about the manic episodes that led to his controversial behavior. He writes, “I lost touch with reality. Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem,” linking the issues to a car accident from more than 20 years ago. Ye describes how during these episodes, he felt detached from his true self, treating loved ones poorly and engaging in actions he now deeply regrets.
Over the years, Ye's antisemitic comments drew widespread condemnation. In a 2022 appearance on Alex Jones's Infowars podcast, he stated, “Every human being has something of value that they bring to the table, especially Hitler,” and claimed the Nazis “did good things too,” urging people to “stop dissing the Nazis all the time.” Earlier, he tweeted about going “death con 3” on “JEWISH PEOPLE,” blamed “Jewish Zionists” for personal troubles including his divorce from Kim Kardashian, and promoted merchandise with swastikas. In May 2025, he released a single titled “Heil Hitler.”
Ye explains the internal experience of his bipolar type-1 disorder: “You don’t think you’re sick... You feel like you’re seeing the world more clearly than ever, when in reality you’re losing your grip entirely.” He admits gravitating toward destructive symbols like the swastika during fractured moments that felt like out-of-body experiences. “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state,” he writes, emphasizing, “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
The artist acknowledges the Black community as the foundation of his identity, saying, “I am sorry to have let you down. I love us.” He thanks his wife, Bianca Censori, for her support during his recent rock bottom and asks for patience in his recovery. Ye now focuses on “positive, meaningful art: music, clothing, design, and other new ideas to help the world,” aspiring to earn forgiveness without seeking a free pass.
