I'd say over the last few years I've explained the scientific method and differentiated between science and scientists many, many, many times.

The people saying "trust the science" full stop; are the ones that either purposely or through ignorance, refuse to accept that there is a difference. Many are of the mind set that if one thing is wrong then the whole must be false. They simply use the phrase to ridicule science.

Changing the rhetoric won't effect these people one bit.

On the other hand ... When you're battling against anti-maskers, anti-vaxers, and anti-evolutionists - one can be forgiven for a tendency to reach for a two by four, rather than a fine line drawing pencil. Yes?

When global warming and evolution are "just a theory" - you really need to fire back.

Even as a kid in the single digits I knew the difference between a hypothesis, (someone throwing an idea out there) and a scientific law. (something that's been tested or observed, has reliable evidence, etc. to the point that you can absolutely depend on the theory)

The ego comes into play when someone like Trump has to admit they don't know, understand or were wrong about something...and we know that just doesn't happen with people like that.

along with 'ownin' the libs'

But there are people out there that honestly believe that the bible has authoritatively 'answered' the evolution question - and that Tucker Carlson and a few internet videos constitute 'doing your own research' ...

In other words - they really and truly are knuckle draggers.
And there's no 'fixin' stupid.