Kanye West: A Scholar on Antisemitism Admitted to Being ‘Skeptical’ About the Rapper’s Apology
Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, recently apologized for antisemitic behavior in 2025. In a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal, Ye explained that he had a four-month manic episode at the start of 2025 and feels badly about his actions during this time. The director of the Center for the Study of Antisemitism at New York University shared why he’s skeptical of the apology.
Kanye West apologized for his antisemitism
In a full-page ad, Ye addressed “those I’ve hurt.” He addressed behavior, including professing a love for Adolph Hitler and selling swastika merchandise. Ye said a four-month manic episode led to his antisemitic behavior.
“I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold t-shirts bearing it,” he wrote. “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did, though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
He also apologized for letting down the Black community. Ye said he has since sought treatment for his bipolar disorder.
“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.”
The director of the Center for the Study of Antisemitism discussed Kanye West’s apology
This is not the first time Ye has apologized for antisemitic behavior. His history of antisemitism makes Dr. Avinoam Patt, the director of the Center for the Study of Antisemitism at New York University, slightly skeptical of the apology.
“I think what’s important to say is that the vast majority of people who have mental health issues, or specifically have bipolar disorder, don’t espouse antisemitic or racist ideas,” he told Vanity Fair. “And I’ll just say I’m skeptical because we now have a pattern that goes back years of antisemitic rants that reinforce harmful, dangerous stereotypes about Jews.”
Dr. Patt believes Ye needs to follow up the apology with actions.
“I think it would take years to recover from this, if at all,” he said. “I guess this is a start … but it would be most important to follow up with meaningful actions (and perhaps even new music) that conveys his newfound dedication to creating ‘positive, meaningful art’ — hopefully this will be art that spreads love and not hate, working to bring people together through his music.”
Ye has announced a new album, Bully, due Jan. 30, 2026.
He denied that his apology was a PR move
Because of his upcoming album, some have wondered if Ye’s apology is a PR move. He said he doesn’t need to engage in damage control.
“It’s my understanding that I was in the top 10 most listened-to artists overall in the US on Spotify in 2025, and last week and most days as well,” he told Vanity Fair. “My upcoming album, Bully, is currently one of the most anticipated pre-saves of any album on Spotify too. My 2007 album, Graduation, was also the most listened-to and streamed hip-hop album of 2025. This, for me, as evidenced by the letter, isn’t about reviving my commerciality.”
He asserted that the sole reason for his apology was to make amends.
“This is because these remorseful feelings were so heavy on my heart and weighing on my spirit,” he said. “I owe a huge apology once again for everything that I said that hurt the Jewish and Black communities in particular. All of it went too far.”
He added that he wanted his public image to stand for “love and positivity.”
