I'm thinking losing a billion dollar spy satellite might play a factor here. Also the timing of the US government shutdown couldn't have been more damaging.
nonsense. There is no evidence whatsoever that spacex's launch of Zuma was anything but a success. Also, in what way is this the most damaging possible timing?
The timing wasn't that damaging. SpaceX has been working on Falcon Heavy for a long time, and a delay of the length of the typical government shutdown is not that big of a deal.
Turns out this delay was shorter than average anyway.
You're welcome to push whatever conspiracy theory you like, but Occam's Razor is currently voting for the satellite failing to separate from the second stage.
it can be a failure without having been in any way spacex's fault. you can lead a horse to orbit but you can't make it drink - they were just the boost.
also, it can be a success while they allow people to believe it was a failure (there is a history of this, if you'd like to tune your tin-foil receiver to the proper channel)