Amid a widespread backlash, the 45-year-old has also had to put his tail between his legs and apologize for the outburst that has already been seen close to 3 million times online. “In re-listening to this week’s podcast, I recognize that I come across as lacking empathy,” began Palihapitiya in a short statement. “I acknowledge that entirely.” “As a refugee, my family fled a country with its own set of human rights issues so this is something that is very much a part of my lived experience. To be clear, my belief is that human rights matter, whether in China, the United States, or elsewhere. Full stop,” he finished.