If the article was that bad, how come he went through the trouble of hiring attorneys to draft letters accusing the author of defamation, threaten action, and never took it any further?

There was never any apology or retraction seeming to remove settlement an a possible result.

I have no reason to doubt the claims against the article, at first glance there are a significant number of credible sources supporting the idea the article was flawed, yet the claims were ineffective legally.

Of course it’s not easy or cheap to pursue a case of defamation, however, I think it money was the issue he could have rallied some public support. If I were asked, it’s certainly an issue I would do the due diligence on and contribute something to if it made sense.

edit: btw why is no one making a movie about this? There are so many fascinating aspects, the grand challenge, the controversy, the mathematician who declined a million dollar prize. I’d love to do even a documentary on it, or watch one if it’s been done.