Companies like canonical can promote linux. They got resources. And linux mint is not behind.

Redhat can back linux as well. Mint is off the list. Too small

I really hate these hyperbolic headlines. Its just clickbait that suggests Microsoft is the last, best hope for saving Linux. First, Linux doesn't need saving... at all. Second, Microsoft is starting to move in better directions, but it isn't there yet.

As for Mint and the huge number of distros, I'm okay with it. The more projects that people feel a real connection to, the more developers are going to be merging patches, fixes, and new apps. This is a sign of a healthy FOSS ecosystem. Sure, some stuff will get left for dead, but the good stuff will be rolled into newer stuff, and the small stuff will become big stuff. Stuff.