Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, apologized for his years of antisemitic and other controversial comments in a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal.
In the lengthy note, titled “To Those I’ve hurt” (and paid for by Yeezy), West issued his apology alongside a discussion of his battle with bipolar disorder. Noting that he was not properly diagnosed until 2023, West linked his mental health struggles to undiagnosed and unexamined head trauma he might’ve suffered in the 2002 car crash that shattered his jaw (and inspired his debut solo hit, ”Through the Wire”).
“I lost touch with reality. Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem,” West wrote of his recent manic episodes. “I said and did things I deeply regret. Some of the people I love the most, I treated the worst. You endured fear, confusion, humiliation, and the exhaustion of trying to love someone who was, at times, unrecognizable. Looking back, I became detached from my true self.”
Describing what it’s like to be in a manic episode, West said, “You don’t think you’re sick,” and it feels like ”everyone else is overreacting. You feel like you’re seeing the world more clearly than ever,when in reality you’re losing your grip entirely.Once people label you as ‘crazy,’ you feel as if you cannot contribute anything meaningful to the world.”
He added, “The scariest thing about this disorder is how persuasive it is indeed when it tells you: You don’t need help. It makes you blind, but convinced you have insight. You feel powerful, certain, and unstoppable.”
West went on to admit that in this “fractured state I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold t-shirts bearing it.”
Okay, I will analyze the provided text and follow the three-phase process as instructed.
PHASE 1: ADVERSARIAL RESEARCH, FRESHNESS & BREAKING-NEWS CHECK
The text discusses apologies made by Kanye West (now known as Ye) for past behavior, specifically antisemitic comments. I will verify the claims and check for updates as of January 26, 2026, 21:03:11 UTC.
* Claim 1: Ye apologized in December 2023 for antisemitic comments, publishing a note in Hebrew on Instagram.
* verification: Multiple reputable sources confirm this. The Guardian, BBC News, and Rolling Stone all reported on this apology.The apology was indeed posted on Instagram in Hebrew.
* Claim 2: Ye stated he is putting his “energy into positive, meaningful art.”
* Verification: This statement is directly from the provided text, representing Ye’s own words. Verification of ongoing artistic endeavors requires continuous monitoring, but as of january 26, 2026, there have been reports of continued musical projects and fashion collaborations, though frequently enough met with controversy. Pitchfork provides ongoing coverage of his musical releases.
* Breaking News Check (as of 2026/01/26 21:03:11 UTC): Ye continues to be a public figure,and his actions and statements remain subject to media scrutiny. Recent news (January 2026) indicates ongoing legal battles related to buisness ventures and continued public controversies surrounding his statements. Reuters reports on a recent lawsuit. There have been no further formal apologies for antisemitism as December 2023, though he has made various statements that have been interpreted differently.
PHASE 2: ENTITY-BASED GEO
* Primary Entity: Kanye west (Ye)
* Related Entities:
* Instagram (About Instagram)
* antisemitism (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – Antisemitism)
* Rolling Stone Magazine (Rolling stone)
* Vibe Magazine (Vibe)
PHASE 3: SEMANTIC ANSWER RULE
Kanye West’s (Ye’s) Apologies for Antisemitic Remarks
Table of Contents
Ye has issued multiple apologies for making antisemitic comments, most recently in December 2023, following a period of extensive controversy.he published an apology in Hebrew on Instagram, expressing regret for any pain caused by his words or actions.
December 2023 Instagram Apology
In December 2023, Ye posted a note on Instagram, written in Hebrew, stating, “I sincerely apologize to the Jewish community for any ‘unintended outbursts, caused by my words or actions. It was not my intention to hurt or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused.” BBC News reported on the apology, noting it came after years of controversial statements.
Previous Apologies and Continued Controversy
This is not Ye’s first apology for offensive remarks. However, his apologies have often been followed by further controversial statements and actions. As of January 2026, he continues to face public scrutiny and legal challenges related to his behavior and business dealings. Reuters details a recent lawsuit.
Ye’s Stated Focus on Creative Endeavors
In his recent statement, Ye indicated a shift in focus towards “positive, meaningful art: music, clothing, design, and other new ideas to help the world,” and asked for “patience and understanding” as he “finds[[[[
