I think the comment was alluding to the unpopularity of these figures within the "intelligentsia". This group has been making politicised statements masqueradin

I think the comment was alluding to the unpopularity of these figures within the "intelligentsia". This group has been making politicised statements masquerading as authoritative announcements quite often. This group love these interjections and the people that follow them do to. But they have sowed distrust. The person is making a fair point, but cocking it up a bit.