GrapheneOS and Linus have always had a god complex and took the stance their way is the only way. I have never respected them as the arbiters of the correct path others have. (I know LineageOS exists but not much else so can't speak to them).
I respect them putting in the effort. I respect them trying. I've contributed where I can because the overall goal of data privacy and digital freedom is one I agree with. But to hold them on a pedestal as always right is, yes, still a dumb take. I've never seen anything that made them the end all be all people seem to hold them up as. Solid voices who's opinion should hold more than average? Sure. But that's it.
Yes, Linus is smart and has had good takes and can produce code used by most every computer in one way or another. That doesn't make him infallible.