If "TI Events" or "TI Influencers" aim to build trust, associating with a platform like The Gateway Pundit could signal to audiences that they prioritize sensationalism or ideological alignment over factual reporting. Credible entities typically align with outlets that adhere to journalistic standards, such as transparency, fact-checking, and accountability, to avoid being dismissed as fringe or unreliable. Choosing a platform with a track record of debunked claims risks alienating serious audiences and invites scrutiny from fact-checkers, potentially damaging their reputation

.That said, some groups might align with The Gateway Pundit intentionally to tap into its large, dedicated audience—reportedly peaking at 50 million monthly visits post-2020 election—for visibility or to push a specific narrative. This could appeal to "TI Influencers" if their goal is to reach a niche, highly engaged, far-right audience rather than a broader, mainstream one. 

However, this strategy trades short-term reach for long-term credibility, as the platform’s history of promoting false stories, like those about election fraud or the Stoneman Douglas shooting, often leads to legal and public backlash.

The Targeted Individual (TI) narrative initially appear similar to other fringe conspiracy groups, blending into the broader landscape of anti-establishment rhetoric. However, their specific appeal to individuals with thought disorders, like those experiencing auditory hallucinations, makes them uniquely dangerous. 

By reinforcing paranoid beliefs that neighbors or strangers are "gang stalkers" orchestrating persecution, these groups exploit vulnerable minds, sometimes inciting violence, as seen in cases like the 2013 Navy Yard shooting or the 2022 Ohio murders, where TIs acted on these delusions.

 Unlike typical conspiracy movements, the TI narrative’s focus on personal persecution—amplified by platforms like The Gateway Pundit—targets a psychologically fragile audience, turning their distress into a perceived external threat. 

This subtle but critical distinction, often overlooked when lumped with Truther-style groups, underscores why the TI phenomenon poses a distinct public safety risk, demanding greater scrutiny to prevent harm.