At a Glance
- Ye apologizes for antisemitic remarks, citing a brain injury and mental health issues.
- He explains a 25-year-old car-accident injury that went undiagnosed until 2023.
- The apology comes amid a history of antisemitic and racist posts, including a February 2023 X tirade.
Why it matters: The apology may influence public perception and his ongoing career, including a new album release.
Ye issued a public apology Monday, addressing a long-standing record of antisemitic and racist statements. He attributed his behavior to an undiagnosed brain injury and mental health issues, and pledged to seek treatment and make meaningful changes.
Background of the Controversy
Ye first gained attention for antisemitic comments in 2023. The Anti-Defamation League documented at least 30 incidents nationwide that directly referenced him. In February 2023, he posted on X that he was a Nazi and praised Adolf Hitler. He also sold t-shirts bearing a swastika, a symbol appropriated by Nazi Germany and modern white supremacists.
The controversy intensified when Ye posted an image of a swastika inside a Star of David. Corporate partners, including Adidas, severed ties with him, and the public backlash prompted a broader conversation about accountability.
Details of the Apology
In a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal titled “To Those I’ve Hurt,” Ye said, “I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
He also wrote, “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change.”
Ye explained that a right frontal lobe injury from a car accident 25 years ago went undiagnosed until 2023. “It wasn’t properly diagnosed until 2023,” he noted. He added that medical oversight caused serious damage to his mental health and led to his bipolar type-1 diagnosis.
“I lost touch with reality,” Ye wrote, adding that he “became detached from my true self.”
He described a four-month manic episode of psychotic, paranoid, and impulsive behavior that began in early 2025. “I fell into a four-month long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior in early 2025,” he said. He said he hit “rock bottom a few months ago” and, encouraged by his wife Bianca Censori, sought help.
Ye highlighted the steps he is taking: “I found a new baseline and new center through an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise and clean living.”
He concluded, “I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness,” and urged patience as he works toward a new album release on Friday.
Reactions and Impact
The Anti-Defamation League did not immediately respond to Emily Carter Reynolds‘s request for comment on Ye’s public apology. Corporate reactions have included the severance of contracts by Adidas and other partners.
Ye has previously apologized for his antisemitic comments. In a December 2023 Instagram post written in Hebrew, he wrote, “It was not my intention to offend or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused.”
However, his February X tirade had stated, “I’m never apologizing for my Jewish comments,” illustrating a complex trajectory in his public statements.
Looking Ahead
Ye is set to release a new album on Friday, a potential milestone in his career. His apology and the steps he outlines may influence public perception and future business relationships.
A timeline of key events:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1998 | First major public appearance as a hip-hop artist |
| 2023 | ADL documents 30 antisemitic incidents involving Ye |
| February 2023 | X tirade declaring himself a Nazi |
| 2023 | Brain injury diagnosed, leading to bipolar type-1 diagnosis |
| Early 2025 | Four-month manic episode described |
| Monday 2025 | Public apology published in WSJ |
The outcome of Ye’s apology will likely be observed in both his personal recovery journey and his professional engagements moving forward.
