SpaceX pretty much kept US Spaceflight alive between the time of the Space Shuttle, and… whatever comes out next. Tesla corporation has proven to the rest of the car manufacturers, and other startups, that the way of the future is not via burning fossil fuels.
Elon showed the world what a shitheel he was after that.
So, I’m pretty sure that this dialogue was written before Elon became the obvious shitheel that he is now. And, as many point out, mirror universe Elon Musk might’ve been even more instrumental to their world, than ours.