On January 26, 2025, readers of The Wall Street Journal were presented with a full-page advertisement wherein Kanye West, the 48-year-old rapper and fashion entrepreneur, extended an apology for his previous antisemitic statements. In the personal narrative titled "To Those I Hurt," West disclosed that his conduct resulted from an undiagnosed brain injury sustained during a car accident in 2002, which he believes went untreated and eventually led to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
The ad, funded by West's own company Yeezy, reflects his effort to confront the backlash following his hateful remarks targeting Jewish people. These comments, which began surfacing in late 2022, included inflammatory tweets and public endorsements of notorious symbols like the swastika. Consequently, West faced widespread condemnation and the dissolution of key business partnerships, including with Adidas and Balenciaga.
West recounted the 2002 accident, noting that while the visible injuries, such as his broken jaw, received immediate attention, the internal trauma to his right frontal lobe was overlooked. He elaborated that it was not until 2023 that the brain injury was properly diagnosed. He described the manic states induced by his bipolar disorder as moments of perceived clarity that, in reality, signified a loss of touch with reality.
In his advertisement, West cited studies from the World Health Organization and Cambridge University, highlighting the increased mortality rates and reduced life expectancy associated with bipolar disorder. Drawing parallels to severe illnesses like heart disease and HIV, West detailed his struggle with the condition, including a four-month manic episode in early 2025 that led to psychotic and paranoid behavior.
During this period, West gravitated towards destructive symbols, notably the swastika, which he controversially sold on merchandise. He clarified, "I am not a Nazi or antisemite. I love Jewish people." He expressed regret for his actions, which he sometimes perceives as out-of-body experiences.
West credited his wife, Bianca Censori, with encouraging him to seek help after reaching what he described as rock bottom. Additionally, he found solace in Reddit forums where individuals shared experiences similar to his own.
The statement also included an apology to the black community, acknowledging their unwavering support and expressing sorrow for letting them down. The apology comes after a history of contentious statements and actions, such as his tweet threatening to go "death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE" and his praise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.
The advertisement in The Wall Street Journal represents West's latest attempt to reconcile with those he has hurt and to shed light on the complexities of mental illness that he contends contributed to his actions.
