the damage is done. Why did they ever think it was a good idea to brag that they were going to destroy all middle/upper class jobs?
Because it helps to raise capital at low costs if your investors and creditors think you're going to replace all labor.
Class blindness. Their buddies all love the idea of showing pesky workers their place.
Because that was the truth. Now they have learned they are going to have to lie to the people so the masses can be sleepwalked to the same eventuality.
They were being earnest. People can't handle the truth, so now they're doing PR comms.
To market their product to c-suite people.