"but I feel that the fusion scientists have no problem silently playing along this misconception"

That is the way to keep the money flowing.

See

"How close is nuclear fusion power?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ4W1g-6JiY

and (different area but about how high investment physics works, "just around the corner")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qqEU1Q-gYE