> S&P wasn't fait accompli, but the NASDAQ 100 was
Sure. Nobody was properly making this distinction in social media, including on HN. Particularly with respect to the differences in scale and purpose between the NASDAQ 100 and S&P 500.
I would't be surprised if the freak-out reaction to SpaceX being on the nasdaq100 and even being considered for the s&p500 was a strong factor in S&P saying no; if so than the histrionics were worth it.
The fact that a fast track was even considered is controversial IMHO. People flipping out, especially if their retirement is tied up with those indices, is to be expected. No one wants to be a bag holder for billionaire insiders.