Kanye West Issues Lengthy Apology for Antisemitic Remarks and Erratic Behavior in Wall Street Journal Letter

26 January 2026

Kanye West, the Grammy-winning rapper and producer who has spent more than two decades shaping popular music and culture, took a dramatic and highly public step on January 26 2026 when he published a full-page open letter in The Wall Street Journal titled To Those I’ve Hurt. In that advertisement, placed by his own Yeezy brand, West acknowledged the profound hurt caused by a string of antisemitic remarks and other controversial actions that have overshadowed his career in recent years and pledged to take responsibility for his behaviour while explaining the personal struggles that he says contributed to the turmoil. His apology marks one of the most serious and public reckonings he has made since the controversies began, and it has ignited renewed debate about accountability, mental health and influence in the modern entertainment landscape.

West, who now legally goes by Ye and is 48 years old, began the letter by looking back on his life and how it changed after a near-fatal car accident in 2002 that broke his jaw and, he says, caused unseen damage to the right frontal lobe of his brain. According to West, that injury went undiagnosed for more than two decades, exacerbating underlying mental health challenges that culminated in a bipolar type-1 disorder diagnosis in 2023. In the WSJ letter, he wrote that undiagnosed neurological damage and subsequent episodes of mania contributed to a period in his life when he “lost touch with reality” and engaged in reckless behaviour that estranged him from fans, collaborators and communities he once championed.

In the heartfelt letter addressed to “Those I’ve Hurt,” West did not shy away from recounting the most troubling chapters of his recent public life. He acknowledged that he made deeply offensive antisemitic comments, spoke in praise of harmful ideologies and even sold merchandise featuring Nazi symbolism, actions that drew widespread condemnation and led to the termination of partnerships with brands such as Adidas and Balenciaga. He wrote that at times during his manic episodes he gravitated toward “the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika,” and sold T-shirts bearing it, a choice he now calls an example of “poor judgement and reckless behaviour.” Despite these admissions, West insisted that his actions do not define his core beliefs, writing explicitly that he is not a Nazi or an antisemite and declaring that he “loves Jewish people.”

West’s apology did not focus solely on one group. He also expressed remorse to the Black community, which he described as the foundation of his identity. He wrote that he felt he had let people down during the period when his behaviour seemed inexplicable even to himself, and he acknowledged that his influence as a public figure meant that his words and actions carried consequences well beyond his personal circle. His tone in the letter was somber and reflective, with repeated admissions that he had hurt people and that repairing those wounds would take time, patience and sustained change.

Significantly, West tied much of his controversial conduct to periods of untreated or poorly understood mental illness. He described a four-month manic episode in early 2025 during which he said he experienced psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that “destroyed my life.” He wrote candidly about how bipolar disorder can warp perception, convincing someone that they are powerful and correct when in fact they are spiralling out of control. He also noted that denial is a feature of the condition, explaining that when someone is in a manic state it can feel as though they do not need help, even as harm unfolds around them.

In outlining the personal work he has undertaken since that period, West said he has embraced “an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise and clean living” and has connected with people online who are navigating similar questions about mental illness. He credited these efforts with bringing him “much-needed clarity” and said that he was now pouring his energy into what he described as “positive, meaningful art”: music, clothing, design and other creative ideas intended to help people. He emphasised that he was not seeking sympathy or a free pass but hoped to garner patience and understanding as he continues to find his way forward.

The apology also touched on deeply personal themes. West wrote about how he had mistreated those closest to him, including family and friends, during his most turbulent periods, and he acknowledged that his loved ones endured fear, confusion and exhaustion as they tried to support someone who was “at times, unrecognizable.” By confronting these painful truths publicly, West appeared to signal a desire not just to apologise but to reckon with the lasting effects of his behaviour on the people around him.

Beyond its emotional content, the letter has sparked widespread reaction across the entertainment, culture and mental health spheres. Some commentators have praised West for owning up to the hurt he has caused and for speaking frankly about how mental illness can intersect with public conduct. Others have been more sceptical, arguing that a public apology alone cannot erase the damage done or fully address the impact of hateful rhetoric and symbolism that he once promoted. The conversation surrounding West’s letter reflects broader societal tensions about how to balance accountability, mental health awareness and the responsibilities of public figures with far-reaching influence.

The timing of the apology is also notable. It arrives just days before the scheduled release of West’s long-anticipated 12th studio album, Bully, a project that has been the subject of speculation and controversy due to both its title and the artist’s recent history. Some observers see the WSJ letter as part of a larger effort to reframe West’s public image ahead of the album’s debut, while others view it as a genuine attempt at reconciliation and growth after years of tumult. In either case, the full-page apology marks one of the most visible attempts in recent celebrity culture to confront past missteps in a manner that is both deeply personal and widely public.

Ultimately, West’s message was one of remorse, reflection and a stated commitment to change. Whether his words will lead to forgiveness, renewed support or further debate remains to be seen, but his decision to use one of America’s most respected newspapers as a platform for apology underscores the seriousness of the moment. In a world where celebrity influence intersects with social responsibility and global discourse, West’s public reckoning may serve as a touchstone for ongoing conversations about accountability, mental health and the power of art to both hurt and heal.