Kanye West has issued a profound public apology for his series of antisemitic rants, directly attributing the hateful messages to his ongoing battle with bipolar disorder. The controversial rapper and fashion mogul published a page-long advertisement in the prestigious Wall Street Journal, offering his most detailed explanation yet for the outbursts that have sparked global condemnation and severed numerous business relationships.
A Public Mea Culpa in Print
The advertisement, headlined 'To Those I Hurt' and paid for by his Yeezy brand, represents West's latest attempt to address the damaging statements that have defined his public persona in recent years. Within the statement, West, 48, describes how his mental illness caused him to lose 'touch with reality' and become 'detached from my true self.'
He reveals a particularly disturbing consequence of this detachment, writing: 'In that fractured state, I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold t-shirts bearing it.' West emphasises that this behaviour does not reflect his true beliefs, stating clearly: 'I am not a Nazi or antisemite. I love Jewish people.'
The Medical Backstory
West traces the origins of his mental health struggles to a 2002 car accident that he claims has only recently been properly diagnosed. 'Twenty-five years ago, I was in a car accident that broke my jaw and caused injury to the right frontal lobe of my brain,' the advertisement begins, detailing what he describes as a significant medical oversight.
'Comprehensive scans were not done, neurological exams were limited, and the possibility of a frontal-lobe injury was never raised,' West writes. 'It wasn't properly diagnosed until 2023. That medical oversight caused serious damage to my mental health and led to my bipolar type-1 diagnosis.'
The Reality of Bipolar Disorder
West provides a raw, unfiltered account of living with bipolar disorder, describing it as a condition with 'its own defense system' of denial. 'When you're manic, you don't think you're sick. You think everyone else is overreacting,' he explains. 'You feel like you're seeing the world more clearly than ever, when in reality you're losing your grip entirely.'
The musician highlights the serious health implications, noting that according to the World Health Organization and Cambridge University, people with bipolar disorder have 'a life expectancy that is shortened by ten to fifteen years on average, and a 2x-3x higher all-cause mortality rate than the general population.' He compares this mortality risk to severe heart disease, type-1 diabetes, HIV, and cancer.
Rock Bottom and Recovery
West describes reaching a critical low point several months ago, writing: 'In early 2025, I fell into a four-month long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior that destroyed my life. As the situation became increasingly unsustainable, there were times I didn't want to be here anymore.'
It was at this juncture that his wife, Bianca Censori, encouraged him to finally seek professional help. 'Hitting rock bottom a few months ago, my wife encouraged me to finally get help,' West acknowledges, marking a turning point in his journey toward treatment and accountability.
Community Impact and Personal Reflection
The rapper addresses specific communities affected by his words and actions, offering a particular apology to the Black community. 'To the black community - which held me down through all of the highs and lows and darkest of times,' he writes. 'The black community is, unquestionably, the foundation of who I am. I am so sorry to have let you down. I love us.'
West also reflects on the global impact of his words as a cultural leader, admitting: 'My words as a leader in my community have real global impact and influence. In my mania, I lost complete sight of that.'
Finding Support and Moving Forward
In an unexpected revelation, West shares that he has found comfort in Reddit forums where others share similar experiences with bipolar episodes. 'I read their stories and realized that I was not alone,' he writes, describing how this connection has helped him understand his condition better.
The advertisement concludes with West outlining his current path toward stability through 'an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise and clean living,' which has provided him with 'newfound, much-needed clarity.' He states his commitment to channelling his energy into 'positive, meaningful art: music, clothing, design, and other new ideas to help the world.'
Context and Consequences
This public apology comes after years of controversial statements from West that began escalating in late 2022. His antisemitic remarks included threatening to go 'death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE' and embracing conspiracy theories about Jewish control of media, music, and finance. Most recently, he released a song entitled 'Heil Hitler,' further deepening the controversy.
The consequences have been substantial, with major brands including Adidas, Balenciaga, and his talent agency CAA severing business relationships with him in 2022. West's evolving understanding of his own mental health adds another layer to the narrative, as he previously asserted he had been misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and actually had autism.
West's advertisement represents a significant moment in his ongoing public reckoning, though he makes clear: 'I'm not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness. I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.' The message was signed by West and indicated it had been 'Paid for by Yeezy,' complete with contact information for the company's CFO.
