Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, met with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto in New York on Tuesday and apologized for months of antisemitic remarks, saying he felt “profound remorse” and attributing part of his behavior to bipolar disorder. In a short, emotional exchange, Ye framed the sit‑down as an attempt to “take accountability” and start repairing trust with a community he has hurt. The meeting, recorded and shared by the rabbi, is Ye’s latest public effort to answer for outbursts that cost him sponsorships and drew widespread condemnation.
Video of the private conversation was posted to Rabbi Pinto’s Instagram and later reshared by Ye. The footage shows the rapper apologizing and seeking forgiveness, according to CBS4, which noted Pinto described Ye as coming with humility.
What Ye Told Pinto
“I feel really blessed to be able to sit here with you today and just take accountability,” Ye says in the clip. He told Pinto he had been “dealing with various issues,” including bipolar disorder, and said those struggles pushed some of his ideas to “an extreme,” language he used to explain past public attacks.
Past Outbursts And The Fallout
The apology follows months of incendiary behavior, including a pro‑Nazi song released this spring and swastika‑themed merchandising, episodes that reignited condemnation and cost Ye business relationships. The Times of Israel reported the track “Heil Hitler” drew millions of views on X, and local coverage noted Ye sold swastika‑branded shirts during the controversy. His 2022 vow to “go death con 3 on Jewish people” first set off a cascade of corporate and social fallout, according to The Independent.
Rabbi Pinto’s Response And Record
Pinto accepted Ye’s apology in the clip and wrote, “A person is not defined by his mistakes, but by the way he chooses to correct them,” calling Ye “a very good man,” as reported by The Independent. Pinto, who leads the Shuva Israel institutions and counsels celebrities, also has a complicated past — he was convicted on bribery charges in Israel and served time, a detail noted in coverage of the meeting.
Reaction And What Comes Next
Reaction was mixed: some public figures saw a step toward accountability, while others argued a private meeting doesn’t undo months of harmful rhetoric. Newsweek cataloged the range of responses and noted that sustained behavior change will be necessary to rebuild trust. MusicTimes highlighted celebrity reactions, including a supportive tweet from Nicki Minaj praising Ye’s move to “take accountability.”
Ye said in May he was “done with antisemitism,” but for many, that pledge — like this apology — will be judged by what happens after the cameras stop, according to Newsweek. For now, the meeting serves as a public olive branch that some see as a first step and others deem insufficient without long‑term change.
