Trump Says Xi Jinping Gave Negative Response to Request for Jimmy Lai’s Release

In an interview with Fox News, President Donald Trump disclosed details of his recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding imprisoned Hong Kong businessman and pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai.

Jimmy Lai, 78, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence on charges of sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. Lai founded a prominent pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong that frequently criticized the Chinese Communist Party.

Trump said he personally appealed to Xi Jinping for Lai’s release during their discussions.

“I brought up Jimmy Lai. I would say the response to that was not positive,” Trump said. “He said that it’s been sort of his worst nightmare.”

The U.S. president also stated that he spoke “at length” with Xi about Lai’s declining health while being held under reportedly harsh prison conditions in Hong Kong.

“I said, well, I would appreciate it if you would release him. He’s gotten old and he’s probably not feeling too well, it would be nice,” Trump told Fox News anchor Bret Baier.

Despite making the appeal, Trump acknowledged he did not leave the conversation feeling hopeful.

“I did not feel optimistic. I have to be honest with you about that one,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Lai’s daughter, Claire Lai, expressed strong confidence in the Trump administration, calling Trump the “liberator-in-chief” and saying she remains hopeful that her father could eventually be freed.

Jimmy Lai was arrested in 2020 amid Beijing’s sweeping crackdown on pro-democracy voices in Hong Kong. Chinese authorities accuse him of undermining national security, while international human rights organizations argue the case reflects increasing suppression of press freedom and political dissent.

Trump also used the interview to highlight what he described as his success in securing the release of prisoners around the world, including American pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkey.

The president further criticized former President Joe Biden’s approach to prisoner negotiations, claiming the Biden administration spent billions of dollars to secure releases while he relied on diplomacy rather than financial concessions.