Shocka! After waging a war of words with Sarah Palin and her family for the past year, Levi Johnston is suddenly apologizing.

“Last year, after Bristol and I broke up, I was unhappy and a little angry. Unfortunately, against my better judgment, I publicly said things about the Palins that were not completely true,” he tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I have already privately apologized to Todd and Sarah. Since my statements were public, I owe it to the Palins to publicly apologize.”

I wonder how much that cost Palin? (I know, I’m dreadfully cynical.)