It was never about Mars. Look into the Mars Society leadership, they were military / Strategic Defense Initiative people
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Griffin#Career#:~:t...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Griffin#Career#:~:t...
What SpaceX hasn't done: Develop Mars habitats.
What SpaceX has done: Develop precisely the kind of rocket you need to launch mega constellations like Brilliant Pebbles.