Doing the right thing does not always end with you in a better position. That doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. All you can do is apologize, and that should really be the only acceptable next step after you as a public figure make an oopsie. Whether other people are willing to forgive you or "take you back" is up to them, and people being judgemental assholes when it comes to a very public and controversial figure is not an excuse to not do the right thing. That's just what it means to live on the knife's edge of being a controversial person.

Forgiveness is earned, not expected. You won't always get a second chance.