A much larger percentage of bond traders are institutional, compared to equities, where retail is very active in some names.

So I wouldn't really give too many points to "the general public" for this one.

Don't worry, they made plenty with the pump-and-dump.

but they did. they already got their money. it's the investors who are going to take a bath, not spacex

The next time SpaceX wants to sell some bonds they will take a bath. Even if this isn't immediately screwing Elon or SpaceX, it indicates a much higher interest rate next time they issue bonds