Media reaction to the Lance Armstrong non-apology apology has been scathing. Zero Hedge invites readers to find the words “apologize” or “sorry” in the word cloud of his interview with Oprah Winfrey saying ,”we look forward to Lance’s rise to the ranks of primary dealer prop trader. He certainly has all the sociopathological prerequisites.” Armstrong might also consider a new career as a politician, lobbyist, CEO, or investment bank executive.
The Spanish daily ABC said Armstrong’s “brutal” confession aroused the anger of viewers. The paper created a word cloud from audience reactions which showed the most used phrases to be “pathetic, loser, idiot, liar, narcissist, fraud and gross”.
“Insincere, evasive and self-serving” was Australian daily The Herald Sun’s no-holds-barred assessment of the interview. Journalist Leo Schlink said Armstrong had “contrived a victim mentality to Winfrey’s questioning, attributing his own viciousness to an impoverished childhood.”
Schlink described Armstrong as an “unreconstructed thug”.
By contrast, fashion designer John Galliano  made genuine apologies and took real actions to atone for a drunken anti-Semitic rant which almost cost him his career. This is what a real apology is.
“He has worked long and hard on his recovery and I am happy to give him the opportunity to reimmerse himself in the world of fashion and reacclimate in an environment where he has been so creative.”
The Anti-Defamation League, the body dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism who strongly criticised Galliano’s actions two years ago, have also welcomed his return to the fashion industry.