A bizarre conspiracy theory has emerged on social media suggesting that Omicron variant is a hoax generated to distract the attention from the upcoming trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, an aide of sex-offender Jeffery Epstein. The highly anticipated trial is set to begin on Monday in a Manhattan federal court.
The B. 1.1.529 variant, also known as Omicron, was first detected in South Africa and Botswana. Dubbed as variant of concern, the first case of the variant was detected on November 14 in South Africa, following which it was reported to the World Health Organization, ten days later. The first image of the new variant, produced and published by researchers at the Bambino Gesu hospital in Rome, reveals that it has more than double mutations as compared to Delta variant of the pandemic.

Maxwell Was Arrested in July 2020
A close aide of the dead pedophile and sex offender, Maxwell was arrested last year in July, last year. Daughter of late media mogul Robert Maxwell, the 59-year-old British socialite is charged with enticing a minor to travel to engage in criminal sexual activity, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, conspiracy to commit both of those offenses, and perjury in connection with a sworn deposition.
For months the Government and media has been on about the Delta variant even though the Omicron variant has been around since July, now the Ghislaine Maxwell court case is about to start and suddenly the Omicron variant has become very potent, viruses become weaker over time.
— Ian Davidson (@ShakerMaker123) November 29, 2021
According to The Guardian, following Maxwell's arrest, Audrey Strauss, acting Manhattan US attorney at the time, argued that the 59-year-old "played a critical role in helping Epstein to identify, befriend and groom minor victims" and that "in some cases, Maxwell participated in the abuse".
Days before the Ghislaine Maxwell Trial is set to start a “new†COVID variant named ‘Omicron’ just happens to materialize out of nowhere pic.twitter.com/xV2Z10lSk7
— 🇺🇸 Archie Willard (@ArchieWillard76) November 27, 2021
The indictment charges that Maxwell "would try to normalize sexual abuse for a minor victim by, among other things, discussing sexual topics, undressing in front of the victim, being present when a minor victim was undressed, and/or being present for sex acts involving the minor victim and Epstein".
#GhislaineMaxwell trial starts tomorrow...release the #Omicron! pic.twitter.com/lF7S7QOs1J
— Dana Roberts (@DFR329) November 29, 2021
NPR reported that as the trial gets underway on Monday, the defense is expected to argue that there is no way Maxwell can get a fair trial as she has already been found guilty in the court of public opinion.
Bizarre Theory Takes Social Media By Storm
Omicron and Ghislaine Maxwell pic.twitter.com/ZOAEFKKbpF
— Damon Perry - Entrepreneur (@damondperry) November 28, 2021
Though the origin of the theory linking Omicron's emergence days before Maxwell's trial is still unknown, it has lit social media users.
When the Ghislaine Maxwell trial starts today but Omicron is taking all the headlines! pic.twitter.com/7ItgZlnJQZ
— The Chumpasaurus (@TheGrumpasaurus) November 29, 2021
"World Health Organization classifies new COVID-19 variant as highly transmissible virus of concern, they're calling it "Omicron." They really are doing everything they can to distract everyone from the Ghislaine Maxwell trail," tweeted a user.
It’s no coincidence that this Omicron variant pops up just days before the Ghislaine Maxwell trial. LETS WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! They don’t want us paying attention to the trial. There is a reason her trial isn’t getting ANY media coverage. Let’s stop being sheep.
— Trey Larkin (@tjlark21) November 28, 2021
"South Africa has had data on this "new variant" since July. Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell will be tried on Monday. Does it make sense yet? #Omicron #GhislaineMaxwell," opined another user.
Don't let media mislead you with #Omicron and other "breaking news", taking away all attention from the #GhislaineMaxwell trial. This is what should be all over the news starting tomorrow! https://t.co/Uui2hFSIwF
— FAXE AXELSSON (@FaxeAxelsson) November 28, 2021
"The Omicron Variant: Or better known as the "2022 Mail-In Ballot Variant." Or possibly "Shift The Media Attention Away from The Ghislaine Maxwell Trial." read another tweet.
Not to worry Omicron will wipe out any news of the Ghislaine Maxwell trial!! https://t.co/uFh8e5DySR
— Apollo (@eaglemoonlander) November 28, 2021