Whether he said it is besides the point..
Her running all over the country claiming he had something to do with saving the plane from crashing into Washington.. which if it was shot down, he didn't, but she (and the operator) definitely would have to be in on the cover-up (if she was still on the phone like she said she was).
That's what I have a problem with. I don't doubt the guy, and likely some of the others, wanted badly to do something.. I don't blame him for his wife's whoring ways.