There is a difference between the ill-defined concept of self-declared fluency in a language and technical proficiency/accuracy.
Whatever else this chap has been guilty of I think that the situation regarding his language classes is far more nuanced than the headline if you look into some of his other statements.
I worked in Germany for a year and a half speaking only German (and have kept up the language ever since) but I couldn't be effective in high-level government meetings.
By the way, yesterday I was informed by letter that I am a German State pensioner with a monthly pension of 38 Euros!