"I Lost Touch with Reality": Ye Takes Out Full-Page Ad to Apologize to Black and Jewish Communities

January 26, 2026

"I Lost Touch with Reality": Ye Takes Out Full-Page Ad to Apologize to Black and Jewish Communities

NEW YORK — In an extraordinary act of public contrition, the artist formerly known as Kanye West has taken out a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal to issue a formal apology to both the Black and Jewish communities. Titled "To Those I’ve Hurt," the letter marks his most significant attempt to reconcile with the public following years of inflammatory rhetoric, including praise for Adolf Hitler and the promotion of "White Lives Matter" merchandise.

The advertisement, which appeared in Monday’s print edition, sees the 48-year-old mogul attributing his erratic behavior to a combination of untreated mental health struggles and a previously undiagnosed brain injury.

Accountability and "Medical Oversight"

In the open letter, Ye writes candidly about the "fractured state" he inhabited during recent controversies. He specifically cites a frontal-lobe brain injury sustained in his famous 2002 car accident—the event that inspired his breakout hit "Through the Wire"—which he claims was not properly diagnosed until late 2023.

“I lost touch with reality,” Ye writes. “One of the difficult aspects of having bipolar type-1 are the disconnected moments—many of which I still cannot recall—that led to poor judgment and reckless behavior. I am deeply mortified by my actions. It does not excuse what I did, though.”

A Dual Apology

The letter addresses the two communities most impacted by his recent outbursts:

To the Jewish Community: Ye explicitly denies being a Nazi or an antisemite, writing, “I love Jewish people.” This follows a 2025 incident in which he released a track titled "Heil Hitler" and sold swastika-branded apparel—actions he now describes as "gravitating toward the most destructive symbol I could find" while in a manic state.
To the Black Community: Acknowledging the "foundation of who I am," Ye apologized for his 2018 comments suggesting slavery was a "choice" and his later appropriation of the Confederate flag. “I am so sorry to have let you down. I love us,” the letter reads.

The Path to "Bully"

Industry insiders suggest the apology is part of a broader effort to clear the deck for his upcoming studio album, Bully. Initially scheduled for release on January 30, the album has been delayed as Ye reportedly focuses on his "new center" through a regime of medication, therapy, and "clean living."

The rapper notes that his wife, Bianca Censori, was instrumental in encouraging him to seek professional help following a "rock bottom" moment a few months ago.

Skepticism and Silence

Despite the high-profile nature of the Wall Street Journal ad, response from community leaders has been cautious. Organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have previously welcomed Ye’s apologies—including his 2023 Instagram post in Hebrew—only to see him return to antisemitic tropes shortly after.

“Actions speak louder than full-page ads,” says cultural critic Marcus Thorne. “The question isn't whether he can write a letter; it’s whether he can maintain the stability and sensitivity he’s promising today.”

Ye concluded his letter with a plea for patience: “I’m not asking for sympathy, or a free pass... I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.”