I think the obvious conclusion from my post is that I don’t find any of those people credible. At all.

I’d go so far as to say I think anyone peddling horseshoe theory is a politically illiterate fool regardless of their supposed qualifications.

It’s funny that you want me to read the imitation though.

“ Several political scientists, psychologists, and sociologists have criticized the horseshoe theory.[3][4][5] Proponents point to a number of perceived similarities between extremes and allege that both tend to support authoritarianism or totalitarianism; political scientists do not appear to support this notion, and instances of peer-reviewed research on the subject are scarce. Existing studies and comprehensive reviews often find only limited support and only under certain conditions; they generally contradict the theory's central premises.”

I grew up in Russia in early 90s when we had literal Nazis and literal Stalinists openly marching on the streets and running in elections.

I don't know what to tell you except that the term "red-brown" became popular for a good reason.

(And I'm far left myself, by the way.)