While the statements you've responded to were in need of addressing, I think some of the mistrust is coming from accounts like @mrron. From the comments on that account's posts, it's obvious the community smells something fishy, but the posts trend anyway without seeming to have the content or support to justify it. When members can tell something isn't right and yet can't find explanation and don't know who to ask, it can snowball into crazy theories.
I'm not saying that's what happened in this case, but I think that @steemship's call for a communications specialist will help a lot in making members feel they have someone they can ask. Trust is key right now. Recognize that "spreading rumors around" is what it looks like when people who are upset are trying to" talk to this community." The "accusing and investigating" are emotionally loaded attempts to self-inform. They are a good thing, I think. Much better than members leaving in a huff and spreading misinformation outside of Steemit. With someone caring and experienced with Steemit to look into things and explain in non-jargon, members will come to feel they have a voice and won't get so shrill.