It seems like a stretch to conclude that it "exposes America's weaknesses". The weaknesses that the article cites are well known: we're deeply divided and our legislature is nearly useless. Of course we're prone to disinformation.

I genuinely doubt that Tiktok is as potent as the government claims it is, while believing that it's not exactly great for us. I think China's "silence" says "Yeah, it was cool while it lasted, but we really don't care all that much. You just look dumb". Which, yeah, fair, but we knew that.