The statement was why Stallman specifically has not had much of an impact, not Linux writ large. and, you're right. The rape comments came late. But let me remind you that it's emblematic of a larger... issue with Stallman's ability to communicate effectively. If you don't think the way Stallman behaves is at least partly to blame for people's ability to take him seriously, I don't know what to tell you.
https://daringfireball.net/2019/09/richard_stallmans_disgrac...