This Isn’t the 1st Time Kanye West Apologized for Anti-Semitic Comments
Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, took out a full-page ad to apologize for hateful and antisemitic comments he has made in the past. West’s behavior, which included selling products with swastikas on them and expressing his love of Adolph Hitler. In his apology, West expressed regret for his actions and discussed his experience with bipolar disorder.
Kanye West came under fire for antisemitic comments
West has spent the past several years shocking and alienating fans with his public behavior. He sold swastika merchandise and went on a number of antisemitic rants on social media. He also praised Hitler.
“Here we go again. Another egregious display of antisemitism, racism, and misogyny from Ye on his X account this morning. Just a few years ago, ADL found that 30 antisemitic incidents nationwide were tied to Kanye’s 2022 antisemitic rants,” Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said, per NBC News. “We condemn this dangerous behavior and need to call it what it is: a flagrant and unequivocal display of hate.”
West also threw his unequivocal support behind Sean “Diddy” Combs during his trial and made comments about having “ownership” over his wife, Bianca Censori.
Kanye West apologized for his antisemitic remarks
In a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal, West apologized for the comments he made. In the apology, titled “To Those I’ve Hurt,” West attributed his behavior to his bipolar disorder.
“I lost touch with reality. Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem,” he wrote. “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.”
He admitted he “gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika.” He now said he is “not a Nazi or an antisemite.” West also apologized to the Black community, writing, “I am so sorry to have let you down.”
In his statement, the rapper said that in early 2025, he began a four-month “manic episode of psychotic, paranoid, and impulsive behavior” that nearly “destroyed” his life. He added that he hit “rock bottom” several months ago. At that point, Censori encouraged him to “get help.” West noted that he has since begun “an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise, and clean living.”
“I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness,” he concluded. “I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.”
He has apologized for his comments in the past
This is not the first time West has apologized for his antisemitic comments. In 2023, he made a post in Hebrew and apologized to the Jewish community.
“I sincerely apologize to the Jewish community for any ‘unintended outburst’ caused by my words or actions,’” he wrote (per Rolling Stone). “It was not my intention to hurt or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused.”
He then said he wanted to work toward making amends with the Jewish community.
“I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future,” he wrote. “Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.”
