He didn't retract anything or express regret (because there was nothing to retract or regret). He did explain what he meant.

So, as I understand, in the classical meaning, that is an apology. But in the contemporary meaning, it is not.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/the-history-of-the-word-apology

The word's earliest meaning in English was “something said or written in defense or justification of what appears to others to be wrong or of what may be liable to disapprobation."

...

So we may instead ask when did the apology start meaning “I’m sorry”?

edit: He also expressed sympathy. Or empathy. I suck at telling the difference.

"That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make, but I understand that felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both. And for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you're upset. If the situation was reversed, there's a good chance I'd have felt the same way.