Calling it a joyride seems like typical rage bait du jour. Space is a worthy project. Projects need goals to rally around, and this was a goal being accomplished. Who cares who was on the ride?
Furthermore, making it all about the richest few people misses the point. More useful to focus on the goal (regain U.S. space capability, and expand human space capability overall) and remember that there are tens of thousands of people involved in this.
Further-furthermore, you could make this same argument about any major development being a waste of resources if you just ignore the ever-expanding light cones of benefit that the whole human race gained from them.
Furthermore, making it all about the richest few people misses the point. More useful to focus on the goal (regain U.S. space capability, and expand human space capability overall) and remember that there are tens of thousands of people involved in this.
Further-furthermore, you could make this same argument about any major development being a waste of resources if you just ignore the ever-expanding light cones of benefit that the whole human race gained from them.