I see no sources that indicates they only sell longer range battery version or that they skipped the $35K version.
If it is true then EM is somewhat of a con-artist or not a straight talker. also, you can be his messenger. haha
He made countless promises that he couldnt kept. things like driving demonstration from LA to NY hands-free, delay on model 3 production in a few occasions, delay on semi event.
Then you are ignorant of the current situation.
What's more, it being true has nothing to do with con-artistry, but you'd know that if you had bothered to educate yourself about the planned rollout cadence...