do you mean active manipulation? like, promoting limited hangouts and this kind of mischief?
Discussion
What's limited hangouts?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_hangout
it's where they admit to some part of the truth to damage control
it's like the expression "throw me a bone" - give the wolves enough meat and they calm down
it's not "hangout" like a place to gather, it's "let it hang out" as in confess