They're not really saying Bezo or Musk are acting illogically. He's lamenting everyone who has set with their heads buried in the sand and pretended they aren't doing the things they're doing.

Not really, there was no proof, just speculation with no evidence. In this case there is plenty of evidence that Bezos put his finger on the scale. See the editor resigning and likely there will be others to follow. He said he was hands off when he bought it, but here we are.

Because you believe in something more than personal gain. The US and other countries were built by elites who believed in more; it's the current generation that are failing.

Or at least forming your own vision of what you want the world to be like based on your own values, and seeing the world move that way as "personal gain."

I think people nowadays choose some generic and pointlessly bland vision of personal success instead of having their own vision based on their own values out of narcissism. The more generic, the more people will agree that you are successful.