Occasionally. I think it depends on how teh post was created but very often it does not. I have Boost installed to access redgifs more reliably.

Redgifs work well on Jerboa. Silly name though

Try turning "Autoplay GIFs/Videos" on in the General settings if it's not already. It's the only way some embedded posts will load for me.

Half the time I get the paywall. It says I’m in a state I’m not in.

Just pick a better host. I don’t know which hosts work. Content that doesn’t load is an automatic downvote though. There are other hosts that do load, though they net not be monetized.

You may be in a region where they require authentication of your identification documents, which I would never provide. Therefore, anything that gets posted there is an immediate not click for me.