Kanye West apologizes for 'reckless' antisemitic comments, blames bipolar disorder

Famed rapper and producer Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, formally apologized on Monday for his past "reckless" antisemitic comments and blamed the rhetoric on his untreated bipolar disorder. 

The full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal marks the second time that Ye has apologized for the rhetoric, which included praise for Adolf Hitler. Ye initially apologized in 2023, but took back the apology last year.

Ye said the comments occurred because of damage to the right frontal lobe of his brain that occurred in a car accident in 2002, which caused mental health issues and eventually led to his diagnosis of bipolar type one disorder in 2023.

"I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change," he wrote. "I lost touch with reality and became detached from my true self. In that fractured state, I gravitated towards the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold t-shirts bearing it."

Ye wrote that he "fell into a four-month long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior" in early 2025, and hit rock bottom a few months ago. He sought out help with the encouragement of his wife Bianca Censori. 

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

The Anti-Defamation League said the artist's apology was "long overdue," and does not undo the hurt he has caused.

"The truest apology would be for him to not engage in antisemitic behavior in the future," a spokesperson for the ADL told NBC News. "We wish him well on the road to recovery." 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.