What is the word (political) for creating a fuss over something unimportant ?

Question

What would be the correct word ( in a political situation) for creating or attempting to create public upset and discussion over a trivial matter in order to prevent them from noticing or concentrating on something bigger and/or more important ?
I am looking for a word like misdirection but stronger, any suggestions ??

Answer 1

Demagogy or demagoguery are two acceptable forms of the same word. They are what a demagogue does, and a demagogue is "a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power."

Rabble-rousing is inciting a mass of people to hatred or violence.

There are also the cliches "making a mountain out of a molehill" and "stirring up a tempest in a teapot".

Answer 2

Well, "misdirection" works.
An idiom for this is a "tempest in a teapot."
Also "flummery" or a "smokescreen."