Story Highlights
Ye published a full-page open letter in The Wall Street Journal on Monday, January 26, 2026. The rapper apologised for his past anti-Semitic comments and behaviour, attributing his actions to an undiagnosed frontal-lobe injury from a 2002 car crash and bipolar disorder.
Ye stunned readers with a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal on Monday, January 26, 2026. The artist formerly known as Kanye West used the space to issue a public apology titled “To Those I’ve Hurt.”
The open letter addresses the controversies that have plagued his career in recent years. Ye explains that his behaviour stems from a serious medical oversight dating back two decades. This move arrives just days before he drops his new music project.
The Medical Claim
Ye writes that his infamous 2002 car accident caused more than just a broken jaw. He claims the crash damaged the right frontal lobe of his brain. This specific injury went unnoticed by medical professionals for nearly twenty years.
Doctors did not properly diagnose the brain trauma until 2023, according to the text. Ye states that this long gap in treatment caused severe damage to his mental health. He links this untreated injury directly to his later diagnosis of bipolar disorder type-1.
The rapper describes the defense mechanisms of his condition as dangerous and deceptive. He notes that during manic episodes, he feels clearer than ever while actually losing his grip on reality. This distortion led him to make choices he now deeply regrets.
Accountability and Regret
Ye admits that he completely lost touch with reality during his public spirals in 2022. He confesses to gravitating toward destructive symbols like the swastika during his “fractured state.” The artist expresses deep shame for selling shirts that bore the hate symbol.
”I am not a Nazi or an antisemite,” Ye insists firmly in the letter. He states that he loves Jewish people and is committed to meaningful change and treatment. He acknowledges that his mental state does not excuse the pain he caused others.
The letter also includes a specific apology to the Black community for letting them down. Ye calls the community his foundation and thanks them for supporting him through his darkest times. He expresses love for his people and remorse for his failures as a leader.
finding A New Path
The artist claims he has found a new baseline through medication, therapy, and exercise. He mentions finding comfort in reading Reddit forums where others share similar bipolar experiences. This digital community helped him realize he was not alone in his struggles.
His focus has shifted toward positive creative outlets like music and design. This personal growth aligns with recent reports on how Kanye West and Kim Kardashian finally made peace. He says his wife encouraged him to get help when he hit rock bottom.
Ye clarifies that he does not expect immediate sympathy or a free pass from the public. He writes simply to ask for patience as he finds his way home. This mirrors the sentiment that North West praises him as a present father.
The timing of this apology is critical for the artist’s career comeback. His new album, Bully, is set for release later this week on January 30. Fans and critics alike will watch to see if his actions match his words.
