Consider it from this perspective: Musk is in this case - not always - a troll (he even said, early on, he was going into 'goblin mode' or something like that)

Consider it from this perspective: Musk is in this case - not always - a troll (he even said, early on, he was going into 'goblin mode' or something like that). The primary aim of trolls is to disrupt and gain attention as much as possible, not to accomplish anything. Accomplishments undermine trolling; they complete something; they are constructive or anti-disruptive; they end the trolling. From that perspective, if the deal went smoothly and quickly, it would be a failure; if it concludes, its value is lost. The troll would want to drag this out as long as possible, with as many disruptive and attention-getting events as possible. The deal is a vehicle for trolling. Would Musk risk $40 billion on it? Would you be surprised if he thought he was smart enough to play this highest-stakes poker game and get away with it? If he relished it?