I think pop scientists become successful because they're good scientists but also great communicators with a knack for making complex topics approachable. I've never heard someone insist on Neal DeGrasse Tyson (for example) as any kind of unquestionable authority, and I feel that if some surprising breakthrough upended his field (idk, an elegant explanation for dark matter) he'd cheerfully go on TV and announce his delight at having been proven wrong.

Scientism is a real thing but I think you're being unfair in blaming this on people who happen to be good ambassadors for science.