Kanye West’s antisemitic outbursts were offensive enough to spark a UK ban – but top psychiatrists say he may not have been in control of what he was saying.
The rapper, now known as Ye, has faced fierce backlash over a string of inflammatory antisemitic comments, which today led to him being banned from entering the UK and headlining at the Wireless Festival in north London’s Finsbury Park, which has since been cancelled.
Top psychiatrists say the disgraced star may not have been in control of what he was saying.
Leading experts suggest his own claims that he was in the grip of a bipolar episode are plausible and consistent with some of the most severe forms of the illness.
Professor David Curtis, of University College London, said people with the condition can spiral into extreme behaviour far beyond their normal character.
He said: “Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness characterised by episodes lasting weeks or months of low mood and depression or high mood – excitation and/or elation.
“Symptoms can include very severe mood disturbance and for some people also psychotic symptoms, consisting of delusions and hallucinations.”
Professor Curtis added: “They can do truly awful things, including acts of violence up to committing homicide or suicide.
“They can become completely delusional and incoherent. They can do and say things which they would never normally do.”
The rapper, now known as Ye, has faced fierce backlash over a string of inflammatory antisemitic comments
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Mr West has insisted his antisemitic remarks came during prolonged psychotic episodes – something Professor Curtis says fits the pattern.
“This is indeed fairly typical of the kind of thing which can happen with severe manic episodes… I think his description is fairly familiar and persuasive,” the expert said.
He added the behaviour “would perfectly well fit with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder alone and need not be any reflection of any other negative traits such as personality disorder or latent antisemitism”.
Mr West’s comments have triggered widespread condemnation, commercial losses and bans from major platforms – with critics insisting the remarks were so offensive they demanded consequences regardless of the cause.
Wireless Festival takes place in Finsbury Park every year | GETTY
The case has now ignited a bitter debate: should mental illness mitigate responsibility when words cause real-world harm?
Dr Sameer Jauhar, of Imperial College London, warned just how dangerous bipolar episodes can become.
“Bipolar is a severe mental illness, that generally presents in adolescence, though can present later in life,” he said.
“It is characterised by recurrent mood episode, lasting months, that can consist of elevated mood (mania), depression or both (mixed).”
More than half of patients can experience psychosis – including delusions and hallucinations – when unwell.
Kanye West was supposed to headline the festival | GETTY
And when mania hits, it can be life-threatening.
“When someone develops mania it is a medical emergency, due to the risks to the individual – suicide rates are upwards of 15 per cent in some studies.”
Experts say those in the grip of an episode may not even realise they are ill – and may refuse or avoid treatment.
Professor Curtis warned: “It is important to realise that people undergoing an episode may not realise they are unwell and may only be treated under compulsion.”
He added that the rich and powerful can be especially vulnerable to spiralling unchecked.
“This perhaps applies especially to those who are rich and powerful who may be left to commit career suicide in the public domain without anybody being able to effectively intervene.”
Mental health charity Bipolar UK says the condition affects more than a million people in Britain – yet diagnosis can take nearly a decade.
“It still takes on average 9.5 years to receive a bipolar diagnosis and has the highest suicide rate of any mental health condition,” it said.
The charity also pushed back on some of West’s claims, including his suggestion that a 2002 car crash caused the illness.
“Although a serious head injury can increase the relative risk of developing a mental health condition, there is no evidence that it directly causes bipolar disorder.”
However, it confirmed that symptoms like paranoia, delusions and reckless behaviour are well-recognised features of bipolar episodes – and can have devastating consequences.
Mr West has said that by late 2025 he began treatment, including “medication, therapy, exercise and clean living” after encouragement from his wife.
Doctors say that combination can help many patients regain stability.
Crowds gathering at the Wireless festival
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In recent years, Mr West has caused outrage with antisemitic and racist comments, with festival sponsors withdrawing support.
This morning, the American rapper offered to meet the Jewish community in the UK, saying: “My only goal is to come to London and present a share of change, bringing unity, peace, and love throughout my music.”
Wireless festival was due to take place in July with Mr West headlining all three nights.
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he should never have been invited in the first place after causing outrage over his antisemitic comments.
The rapper, one of the biggest figures in hip-hop history, took out a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal in January this year apologising for his comments and said his bipolar disorder meant he had “lost touch with reality”.
The decision to block him has been broadly welcomed by politicians and Jewish groups.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews says it hopes the lessons can be learned across the industry, while one charity has called banning Mr West the “sensible outcome” to a bruising episode for the community.