He couldn't say "No"

"So you want me to lie about this thing?" he asked.

"No, Mr. Armstrong. Call it prevarication if you must, but it's not a lie if you believe it, right?"

"That's the thing," said Armstrong. "I don't believe it."

"It would be better for your position and for your family if you did."

He understood quite well what they meant. This was a not quite so veiled threat against him and his family.

He was suddenly famous. His face had been plastered on newspapers and magazines. He had been on television. There was absolutely no place he could go and not be recognized. He would have to play their game.

After a few moments, Armstrong said, "Fine. Lay it out for me. What am I supposed to say?"

"First, Mr. Armstrong, tell them you actually walked on the moon."

Image from Wikipedia

Freewrite prompt: he understood quite well