I think he understated it, and your "wrong" is too strong. The main point is people had to actually step up, and when Snowden did this, we had some truth for a bit.
Snowden is currently in political exile and probably closely monitored, likely for the rest of his life. US congressmen have openly called for his assassination. If he were to return to this country it's highly likely he would spend the rest of his life in a federal prison, at best.
Please explain how 'all it took was for someone to burn their career' isn't utterly misconstruing the cost being addressed?