Deadman switch can also refer to something that triggers once you no longer have access to the "button" that stops it from happening. In fact, that's the best way to set up a deadman switch, imo.

Ig you're pretending to be dead you might as well. generally a dead man's switch is a measure to keep from being assassinated, "if you kill me, i this information will be released", and you keep that information hidden, because if you release it, they might as well kill you.

In the case of McAfee, if he's in protective custody of the US military where he cant get whacked by the cabal, then he might as well release the information and be alive to watch the fall out.