You realise he probably usually does give out his thoughts to his family in private.

But this time someone in his name did this publicly, without his knowledge, so it is the right move to then take the hit and explain the situation also publicly.

If you read the apology, you see he doesn't object to the core message, but rather the fact that they attacked his family publicly, he is man enough to sort that out on his own in private as you said should be done, but somehow you still found a way to blame him for this.