Kanye West has issued an apology for his antisemitic statements, explaining that his bipolar disorder led to a disconnect from reality. The apology appeared as a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal.
Ye’s antisemitic remarks caused widespread anger and criticism, but he has since offered apologies for the offensive statements he made over the past year.
His latest statement attributes the messages to the effects of his mental illness.
In an interview published in the January 26th Wall Street Journal, West discussed the beginnings of his bipolar disorder, explaining that a car accident in 2002 was what he believes triggered his mental health challenges.
West, 48, explained that his illness led him to feel disconnected from who he really was, and unfortunately, this caused him to be attracted to a symbol of hate – the swastika.
The ad, paid for by Yeezy and written by Kanye West, was titled ‘To Those I Hurt.’ In it, West explained that after reaching a low point several months ago, his wife, Bianca Censori, encouraged him to get help, which he then did.
The ad starts with the story of a car accident I had 25 years ago, which broke my jaw and injured the front part of my brain. Initially, everyone focused on what they could see – the broken jaw, the swelling, and the immediate physical pain. But the more serious injury, the one inside my brain, wasn’t recognized at the time.
Thorough tests weren’t performed, and the neurological evaluations were incomplete. No one considered the possibility of an injury to the front part of my brain, and the problem wasn’t correctly diagnosed until 2023. This medical mistake significantly harmed my mental wellbeing and ultimately led to me being diagnosed with bipolar type-1.
Bipolar disorder often includes a natural tendency to downplay or deny symptoms. During a manic phase, it’s common to not recognize you’re unwell, and instead believe others are exaggerating. It can feel like your perception is heightened, even though you’re actually losing touch with reality.
Being labeled “crazy” can make people feel like their contributions aren’t valued. While others might dismiss it as something to joke about, mental illness is a serious health issue that can be fatal. In fact, research from the World Health Organization and Cambridge University shows that people with bipolar disorder often live 10 to 15 years less than the general population and are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from any cause.
This condition is as serious as life-threatening illnesses like heart disease, type-1 diabetes, HIV, and cancer, and can be fatal if not treated.
What’s most frightening about this condition is its ability to convince you that you’re perfectly fine and don’t need assistance. It distorts your perception, making you feel incredibly insightful when you’re actually missing key things. Instead of weakness, you experience a false sense of strength, confidence, and invincibility.
I lost sight of what was real, and things spiraled downward as I kept avoiding the issue. I ended up saying and doing things I now deeply regret, especially to the people I care about most. You went through a lot – fear, confusion, embarrassment, and the draining experience of loving someone who had changed so much. In hindsight, I realized I’d become disconnected from who I truly was.
When I was struggling with a severe mental health crisis, I made terrible choices, including displaying and selling swastikas. Living with bipolar type-1 means experiencing periods of disconnection where I lose control and make decisions I wouldn’t normally make – and often don’t even remember. I am profoundly ashamed of these actions and taking full responsibility through therapy and a commitment to change. However, this doesn’t justify what I did. I want to be clear: I am not a Nazi, and I do not hold antisemitic views. I deeply care for Jewish people.
To my Black community, who supported me through everything – the good times and the bad, even when things were at their lowest. You are the very foundation of who I am, and I deeply regret disappointing you. I love and cherish our community.
In early 2025, I experienced a severe mental health crisis – a four-month period of mania with paranoia and impulsive actions that had devastating consequences for my life. Things got so difficult that I struggled with wanting to live.
Bipolar disorder doesn’t mean constantly feeling mentally unwell. It involves periods of illness, specifically during manic episodes, followed by times when a person feels completely normal. It’s often after these episodes, when things calm down, that the real difficulties and consequences of the illness become most apparent. I personally experienced a very low point a few months ago, and my wife encouraged me to seek help.
Surprisingly, I’ve found a lot of support on Reddit forums. Reading about other people’s experiences with mania and depression – experiences similar to my own – helped me realize I wasn’t alone. It’s been incredibly validating to see others struggle with similar issues, especially since I’ve been told by doctors that my yearly struggles aren’t bipolar disorder, but just signs of autism, even while consistently taking medication.
As a community leader, my voice carries weight and can reach a wide audience. When I was experiencing mania, I completely lost perspective on that power.
Now that I’m establishing a healthy routine with medication, therapy, exercise, and a clean lifestyle, I’m feeling much clearer and more focused. I’m channeling my energy into creative projects – music, fashion, design, and other ideas – that I hope will make a positive impact.
I don’t want your pity or special treatment, but I do hope you can eventually forgive me. Right now, I’m just asking for your patience and understanding while I work through things and get my life back on track.
West approved the message, which stated the ad was ‘Paid for by Yeezy’ and included the email address of Yeezy’s CFO.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following the situation with Ye closely, and it’s deeply concerning. It started late in 2022 with a series of antisemitic statements, including a particularly disturbing tweet where he threatened to go ‘death con 3’ against Jewish people. It’s a really difficult situation, and it’s important to address the harm caused by such hateful rhetoric.
He promoted conspiracy theories claiming Jewish people have undue control over the media, music industry, and financial systems. He asserted, ‘The Jewish media silenced me, and I’m simply stating a fact, not expressing hate.’
He also praised Adolf Hitler and Nazis.
As a lifestyle expert, I saw a major shift in 2022 when some big brands cut ties with him after his controversial statements. Adidas, Balenciaga, and even his agency, CAA, all decided to end their business relationships with him at that time.
Most recently, the rapper released a song entitled ‘Heil Hitler.’
The recent suggestion that Kanye West’s outbursts are linked to bipolar disorder is a surprising development in how he views his own mental health.
For years, he believed he had bipolar disorder, but last winter he revealed he’d actually been diagnosed with autism.
Bipolar disorder causes significant shifts in mood, ranging from highly energetic phases called mania to periods of low energy and sadness, known as depression.
It is often referred to as manic depression.
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2026-01-26 18:34