I believe it’s a made up issue intended to distract voters from things that matter

You’re half right: it IS that, but it’s also about fascists scapegoating vulnerable minorities to scare people into thinking that they (the fascist politicians and their supporters) are the only sane ones and have to eradicate the “Others” for the sake of all that’s good and decent.

Proof positive that messaging doesn’t have to make sense or even allow for the tiniest shred of empathy in order to be effective 😮‍💨🤬