‘I lost touch with reality’: Kanye West blames brain injury for antisemitic behaviour

Kanye West has blamed a brain injury and untreated mental health issues for his antisemitic behaviour, saying a prolonged manic episode caused him to lose touch with reality and act in ways he now deeply regrets.

The rapper, now known as Ye, made the remarks in a full-page advert published in The Wall Street Journal, in which he apologised for past comments and said he was committed to accountability, treatment and meaningful change.

What West said in his apology

In the advert, titled To Those I’ve Hurt, West said he was not seeking sympathy or a “free pass”, but hoped to earn forgiveness over time.

“I lost touch with reality,” he wrote, describing a period of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that he said lasted several months in early 2025.

West said he regretted the harm caused by his words and actions and apologised to Jewish people as well as to the Black community, saying he had let people down.

“I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change,” he wrote.

Brain injury and mental health claims

West said his behaviour was linked to bipolar type-1 disorder, which he attributed to a brain injury sustained in a car accident 25 years ago.

He claimed the injury was not properly diagnosed until 2023, calling it a medical oversight that contributed to long-term damage to his mental health. West was formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016.

“In early 2025, I fell into a four-month-long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life,” he said.

“There were times I didn’t want to be here any more.”

Backlash and consequences

West has faced widespread backlash in recent years over antisemitic remarks, which led to the loss of major business partnerships and platform access.

Adidas ended its collaboration with the rapper in 2022, while his Yeezy online store was taken offline after selling items featuring extremist imagery.

In 2025, Australia cancelled West’s visa following the release of a song referencing extremist ideology. He also deleted his account on X amid growing criticism.

Moving forward

West said he reached rock bottom before seeking help, crediting his wife with encouraging him to get treatment.

He said he is now focusing on recovery and on creating what he described as positive and meaningful work, including music, clothing and design.

The letter ended with West asking for patience as he continues treatment, signing off: “With love, Ye.”

Reaction from advocacy groups

Campaign Against Antisemitism said apologies must be followed by sustained change to be meaningful, noting that West has apologised in the past before relapsing into harmful behaviour.

The group said time would determine whether this apology marked a genuine turning point.