Ye Apologizes in Wall Street Journal Ad Citing Brain Injury
Ye ran a full-page Wall Street Journal ad on Jan. 26, 2026, apologizing for antisemitic remarks and citing a 2002 frontal-lobe injury.
Overview
Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, ran a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal on Jan. 26, 2026, apologizing for antisemitic remarks and saying he "lost touch with reality," according to the ad.
In the ad, Ye said a 2002 car crash injured his right frontal lobe and that bipolar disorder was not properly diagnosed until 2023, which he said contributed to later behavior.
Ye wrote "I am not a Nazi or antisemite" in the ad, while Jewish groups and critics pointed to his Feb. 2025 sale of swastika T-shirts and a 2025 song praising Hitler as evidence of sustained antisemitism.
The Anti-Defamation League reported Ye was directly referenced in at least 30 antisemitic incidents in a 2023 report, and his earlier statements led to suspensions from social platforms and the loss of an Adidas partnership, records show.
Ye's album "Bully" is slated for Jan. 30, 2026, and his representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to messages seeking reaction.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this account neutrally: they report Ye’s full-page apology and direct quotes explaining mental health and denial of antisemitism, while equally documenting documented incidents, ADL findings, and past posts praising Nazis and using slurs. Editorial choices favor factual chronology, quote attribution, and contextual evidence rather than evaluative language or omission.
Sources (8)
FAQ
Ye stated that 25 years ago, a car accident broke his jaw and caused injury to his right frontal lobe of his brain, with the deeper neurological damage going unnoticed at the time.[2]
Kanye West suffered nasal fractures and a broken jaw shattered into three pieces, requiring surgery and having his jaw wired shut for 6 weeks.[1]
Ye claimed the right frontal lobe injury from the 2002 crash contributed to his bipolar disorder struggles, leading to poor judgment, a 2025 manic episode, and antisemitic behavior, diagnosed properly in 2023.[2]
Critics highlighted Ye's February 2025 sale of swastika T-shirts and a 2025 song praising Hitler as evidence of ongoing antisemitism.[0]
History
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