American scientists are on the forefront of nearly every field of research

Even if we were, I think we must concede that we’re in the bargain bin now, or soon will be. 750M of current research grants at my school alone, likely more to come, and certainly fewer if any new grants outside whatever pet projects the regime fancies. Best of luck, wherever you land.

You’re conflating modern sciences with historic geology, and tossing in a dash of denialism to boot. There’s a well known adage called Planck’s principle (IIRC) which basically says that science advances one funeral at a time:

A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.

Also, science was very much a good ol’ boys club of people that often came from wealthy backgrounds because they could afford the education to become scientists, so they were very much big egos trying to keep their theories and discoveries attached to their names even in the face of more correct or contradicting information.

Nowadays the egos may not be quite as large, though there definitely plenty that resist change due to ego or other personal interest, but absolutely politics influences science in multiple ways. It determines who gets funding, what commercial interests pay and benefit from the discoveries, and what gets presented to the public.

Sure would be nice if all scientific results were unbiased, accessible, and free, but unfortunately that’s not always the case.