sideshow
n. C1 Advanced US //ˈsaɪdˌʃoʊ// UK //sˈaɪdʃəʊ// sideshow
n. a secondary event or activity that happens at the same time as a main event. It is often used to describe something that is less important than the main attraction.
n. a secondary event or activity occurring simultaneously with a primary event. Often used metaphorically to describe a minor issue that distracts from a more significant problem.
The protest turned into a sideshow for the media.
While the main debate focused on the economy, the candidates spent most of their time discussing the sideshow of their personal lives.
The legal team argued that the scandal was merely a sideshow, designed to divert public attention from the more pressing issues of corporate negligence and environmental harm.
From side + show.