The Metroliner is a defunct express train between New York City and Washington DC. The Ever Given is a giant container ship that got stuck in the
Suez Canal and held up world trade last year. I'm not sure what was meant to be said, but maybe the SLS is for people and Starship is for cargo? The SLS will work for a few decades and Starship will screw up supply lines for months?
Yes, passengers versus cargo, that was my intention. So, TIL: the Metroliner is kaputt.
Perhaps the parent is trying to pass the message that even if both the projects are a failure is still fine and all the people involved are happy because they are getting their money anyway? Just guessing.