Final answer:
An ad hominem attack is a fallacy where the argument is rebutted by attacking the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself. This tactic is a diversionary fallacy and can manifest in various forms, including character assaults and accusations of hypocrisy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term you're looking for is ad hominem attack, which is a fallacy where an argument is rebutted by attacking the character, motive, or other attribute of the person making the argument, rather than addressing the substance of the argument itself. This type of argument is a fallacy of diversion, as it diverts the audience's attention away from the argument and towards the person.
Ad hominem attacks can take the form of overtly assaulting someone's character, or more subtle forms like red-baiting or the tu quoque fallacy, where the respondent tries to discredit an argument by calling attention to the arguer's hypocrisy.