Distraction? Maybe.
But maybe just circumstantial evidence.
I'm not saying these allegations are true. But ignoring allegations until there is absolute proof is, well, illogical.
That's like your best friend tells you (in all seriousness) that your new girlfriend might be an axe murderer. And you say, I won't worry about the allegations until you give me absolute proof.;-)
Oh, I’m watching, I do believe aliens are real, I just am turned off by all the unfounded hype. I’ll focus once we have it. Nothing to do about it now.