I see and hear similar reactions from people who seem to be upset that someone has merely had the audacity to point out that someone is offensive/ based their opinion on a lack of facts, or on incorrect facts. This happens to both the right and the left, but perhaps more often on the individuals who, for decades, have not really heard that they were wrong, or offensive. It's natural to be defensive, but digging in your heels and lamenting a 'loss of free speech' rather than expanding your understanding of concepts is not very helpful.