Almost every manufacturer gives at least an estimate of tire clearance.
It is difficult to believe that Trek doesn't know how much tire clearance the bike has. Trek knows exactly what they are doing and changing the spec repeatedly is dishonest.
Expressing frustration over it isn't a "bizarre gripe." Tire clearance is a major factor in choosing to buy one bike over another and many buy bikes online without seeing them first. We have to be able to trust the manufacturer's specs.
For the cost of bikes today, I expect better. Shame on Trek. This is another in a long list of reasons why I will never own a Trek or Bontrager product.
-Tim-