It's not transactional. For it to be transactional, it has to have a value for both sides. Empathy holds no value for MAGAs, so they shouldn't care if they receive it or not. In fact, they should even be offended at the offer of Empathy, sort of like how Atheists get irritated when asked to offer Thoughts & Prayers for school shootings.

"I can't stand the word empathy, actually. I think empathy is a made-up, new age term that — it does a lot of damage."

In Kirk's own words.