I'm not surprised at all. Good/bad, un/readable code can be produced in any language. Ruby fans crowed about its beauty then created incomprehensible DSLs of awkward Yoda code. But norms and values do differ between language communities, and APL is not exactly noted for a strict emphasis on readability.
Languages have varying costs of entry and mastery. The relative cost depends on what languages one already knows. But some language features are rarer and more difficult (declensions, conjugations, symbols, tones, etc). The size of the active vocabulary matters a great deal. But the availability of the language matters perhaps most of all.
C isn't very readable either which is why commenting is encouraged. But the Obfuscated C Contest is a competition whereas APL is literally the punchline for illegibility.
> the reaction both from employees and people I spoke to in private was overwhelmingly positive.
Overwhelming positive reaction from subordinates (whose paychecks he signs), and peers who are also tech/finance bros. Sounds like a statistical universe to me!
I love how Bezos didn't address the reports of his own famously bad behavior, which sets the tone for the entire company. Or maybe he's under investigation by the Amazon HR department right now?