What fallacy involves introducing irrelevant facts to distract from the main argument?

The correct answer is the red herring fallacy. This fallacy occurs when someone introduces irrelevant information into an argument to divert attention away from the original issue. By doing so, they distract the audience from the main argument, making it easier to mislead or confuse them about the topic at hand. For instance, in a debate about education reform, a speaker might bring up unrelated personal anecdotes or statistics about healthcare, thereby sidestepping the discussion and steering it in a different direction.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of flawed reasoning. The bandwagon fallacy involves asserting that something is true or acceptable simply because it is popular. The slippery slope fallacy suggests that a relatively small first step will inevitably lead to a chain of related events culminating in significant consequences. Begging the question occurs when an argument's premises assume the truth of the conclusion instead of supporting it. Each of these fallacies serves a different purpose, but the red herring is specifically aimed at distraction through irrelevance.