Kanye West Apologizes for Antisemitic Comments, Admits Tarnishing Friendships

Kanye West, also known as Ye, has publicly addressed the antisemitic comments he made during manic episodes related to his mental health. The rapper faced significant backlash following statements such as, “There’s a lot of things I love about Hitler,” and “I’m a Nazi… I love Hitler.” These remarks garnered widespread condemnation and resulted in the termination of his lucrative partnership with Adidas, as well as his relationships with various talent agencies.

Kanye West’s Apology and Mental Health Admission

In a recent full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, Ye issued an open letter of apology addressed “to those I hurt.” He attributed his comments to his struggles with bipolar-1 disorder, which he claims were exacerbated by brain injuries from a serious car accident. “It makes you blind, but convinced you have insight,” he wrote, acknowledging the disconnect from reality he experienced during these episodes.

Finding Accountability

• Ye expressed deep regret and commitment to accountability.
• He described the burden of remorse he felt, particularly towards the Jewish and Black communities.
• Ye emphasized that his initial comments were a product of his mental health struggles, not reflective of his true beliefs.

In a follow-up email interview with Vanity Fair, he reiterated the sincerity of his apology, stating it was not motivated by commercial interests related to his upcoming album, “Bully.” Instead, he described his feelings of remorse as overwhelming and necessary to address. “As a public figure, I understand the impact of my words,” he said, insisting he wants to promote love and positivity instead.

Impact on Personal Relationships

West highlighted the toll his manic episodes have taken on his personal relationships. He explained that he keeps a mental checklist of things he said during these episodes to make amends. “All of the family bonds, deep relationships, and lifelong friendships were all tarnished,” he lamented.

Struggles with Diagnosis

Ye revealed that he experienced a particularly challenging manic episode in 2025, lasting four months. A change in his medication led to depression, necessitating treatment at a rehabilitation facility in Switzerland. He noted the difficulty of finding the right medication dosage and its critical role in managing his condition.

In February 2025, after consulting with doctors, West believed he might be autistic rather than bipolar, a claim he later retracted, declaring his bipolar diagnosis accurate. “It’s not just me who ruins their entire life once a year,” he stated in his apology, indicating his ongoing battle with mental health issues despite frequently being told by doctors that his symptoms were not bipolar related.

Through this journey, Kanye West aims not only to seek personal redemption but also to advocate for understanding surrounding mental health and its impacts on one’s relationships and public persona.