Candace Owens reaffirms support for Ye after his public apology, calling him “like a brother” and defending their friendship despite past controversies

Candace Owens, conservative commentator and podcaster, has reaffirmed her support for rapper and entrepreneur Kanye West, now known as Ye, following his public apology for past antisemitic remarks.

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Owens made the comments on her podcast on Tuesday, January 28, 2026, in the wake of Ye’s letter published Monday by The Wall Street Journal.

Ye’s apology addressed previous controversial statements, expressed regret, and emphasised that he does not support hate.

In the letter, he also shared details about his mental health, including a bipolar Type I diagnosis and head injuries sustained in a car accident 25 years ago, describing how these factors influenced his behaviour.

Owens characterised Ye as “like a brother” and stressed that her support is personal, not political.

“Ye’s got to be Ye and Candace has got to be Candace. It’s just how it works,” she said, highlighting their long-standing friendship and mutual acceptance.

She added that she would not abandon him despite disagreements.

She clarified that Ye’s apology does not reflect her own views on Israel or acts of violence, stating, “This has nothing to do with my viewpoints whatsoever on Israel, people who mass murder children.”

Owens also welcomed Ye’s efforts to apologise to individuals he may have specifically hurt.

Earlier in January, Owens criticised music labels for restricting use of Ye’s work, citing her desire to use a sample of his music for her podcast intro without paying licensing fees.

She called for new legislation to give artists more freedom from restrictive label practices.

Ye’s apology has generated wide public attention, with mixed reactions online.

Some observers questioned the timing and sincerity of the message, while others viewed it as a step toward accountability.

In his letter, Ye described the persuasive and isolating aspects of his bipolar disorder, saying, “The scariest thing about this disorder is how persuasive it is when it tells you: You don’t need help.”

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The exchange between Owens and Ye underscores the complicated intersection of personal loyalty, public accountability, and mental health awareness, as the former collaborators navigate both past controversies and ongoing public scrutiny.