Another important factor is that the F-35 has low aerodynamic drag
I cannot think of anyone who has complained about the F-35 subsonic acceleration - but the transonic acceleration is a totally different matter, and one which lead lead to a
key performance specification change (for the worst naturally). Since this was due to aerodynamic issues the above statement has to lead to everything else in the press release being taken with a pinch of salt.
The need to preemptively deny being a LM shill is also suspiciously defensive.