Candace Owens has publicly responded to Kanye West’s (now Ye) apology for his past antisemitic statements, insisting she continues to support him despite their differences.

Ye issued the apology in a letter published Monday by The Wall Street Journal, in which he acknowledged his past words, expressed regret, and said he does not support hate. He also spoke openly about his mental health, sharing that he suffered head injuries in a car accident 25 years ago and was later diagnosed with Bipolar Type I after scans revealed frontal lobe damage. Ye described how the illness influenced his behavior and thinking, emphasizing that he is not seeking sympathy but hopes to earn forgiveness.

Owens Stands by Ye, Calls Him Like a Brother

On her podcast Tuesday, Owens said Ye is “like a brother” to her and insisted she would never abandon him. She clarified that her support is personal, not political, and that she still respects him even when they disagree.

Owens said:

“If he wants to apologize to people that he specifically has hurt, he is welcome to do that.”

She also stressed that the apology did not affect her own views on Israel or violence, stating:

“This has nothing to do with my viewpoints whatsoever on Israel, people who mass murder children.”

Owens added that their friendship is rooted in mutual acceptance, explaining that they do not try to change one another:

“Ye’s got to be Ye and Candace has got to be Candace. It’s just how it works.”

Owens Previously Criticized Music Labels Over Licensing Fees

Earlier in January, Owens also criticized music labels for controlling Ye’s work. She posted on X about wanting to use a short sample of his music for her podcast intro but refused to pay licensing fees. She accused labels of exploiting artists and called for new legislation to free artists from such control.

Ye’s Apology Goes Viral

The apology gained widespread attention online after a summary post by Pop Base circulated widely. In the letter, Ye apologized not only to the Jewish community but also to the Black community, emphasizing that he was not seeking sympathy but hoped to earn forgiveness.

Ye’s message also included details about his health struggles, and how medical mistakes and his bipolar diagnosis impacted his life. He described how the illness can be persuasive, saying:

“The scariest thing about this disorder is how persuasive it is when it tells you: You don’t need help.”

The public reaction to the apology remains mixed, with many questioning whether it is sincere or strategically timed, while others view it as a step toward accountability.