More questions than answers surround Trump's TikTok deal

Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration has proposed a deal that would reduce Chinese ownership of TikTok in the US to 20%, but uncertainties remain regarding the execution and implications for American users [3][4]. Group 1: Deal Structure and Participants - The proposed deal requires Chinese owner ByteDance to divest its US operations, which necessitates approval from the Chinese government, complicating the situation amid ongoing trade tensions [4]. - Key investors in the deal include Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, indicating potential political ties and influence in the arrangement [6][8]. - The deal is valued at $14 billion, which is considered low compared to Twitter's $44 billion valuation, raising questions about the financial terms and ByteDance's retained value through licensing [11][12]. Group 2: Political and Social Implications - Concerns have been raised about a potential conservative shift in TikTok's management and content moderation, reflecting broader trends in social media under current political dynamics [9][10]. - The deal's vague assurances regarding US national security have led to skepticism among lawmakers, with calls for oversight and scrutiny of ByteDance's past actions [14]. - The extension of the deadline to ban TikTok until mid-January adds to the confusion surrounding the deal's status and compliance with US laws [13].