Right-wingers go on bizarre defense of Joseph McCarthy after Comey alludes to the Red Scare

Former FBI director James Comey on Thursday issued a tweet that tied in a reference to "Red Scare" senator Joseph McCarthy to a thinly-veiled allusion to President Donald Trump — and right-wing Twitter exploded in outrage.

"American history shows that, in the long run, weasels and liars never hold the field, so long as good people stand up," the Trump-fired former FBI director tweeted. "Not a lot of schools or streets named for Joe McCarthy."

"There is no greater Left-wing invented slur than ‘McCarthyism,'" Trump transition team member Steve Milloy responded.

"Robert Mueller is a spitting image of Joe McCarthy," another user responded.

MSNBC producer Steve Benen pointed out that McCarthy apologism has been in vogue among the right in recent years, its chief proponent being ex-White House adviser and ousted Breitbart executive Steve Bannon.

Check out the best of the right-wing freakout below: