Don't think you are naive and rather enjoy your posts, but I do believe he was intentionally calling out his detractors. He is a thin-skinned ego maniac who is used to bullying his way to his goals.
Pure stupidity is part of the explanation, but IMO doesn't capture the whole of his intent.
Heinlein's Razor - "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity, but don't rule out malice."