>>516115465 (OP)
>full quote is him denying the ability to empathize, so he instead favors giving sympathy
Using his assassination as an example: having empathy means understanding that regardless of what you believe, people are hurt, scared, and angry because of this. Empathy helps you plan how to speak to them about this. Sympathy is something that you give from afar with no intention of really understanding. You recognize that someone is hurt and you feel sorry for them. Showing empathy would mean adjusting your behavior after better understanding, where sympathy doesn't come with understanding beyond recognition of grief.
It's true you can't fully understand someone, but this is the semantics of someone saying someone telling you to have a nice day is making an unreasonable demand. This is because the right pushes against empathy, it implies there's understanding and action should come with understanding. The right is more used to expressing sympathy: "so sorry you feel that way" and moving on.