With Scale Strokes & Effects or Transform Patterns on, the path and each copy are moved by Node::transform, which fixed a fitted gradient to its fit before a scale of 0 flattened it to one color. Scaling::keep_fit_when_flat keeps the gradient fitted under a map that flattens the object (node::flattens, the gate fixes_fit already used), and the Transform effect's path transforms set it.
docs/target-app-parity.md also says that the Gradient tool still shows a fitted gradient's vector at its unturned fit.