Trump pressed China's Xi to release jailed Hong Kong media tycoon, sources say

U.S. President Donald Trump personally urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to release imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai during their meeting in South Korea last week, according to three individuals briefed on the discussions and a U.S. administration official.

While Trump did not propose any specific arrangement for Lai’s release, he raised concerns about the 77-year-old publisher’s health and welfare following his prolonged national security trial, one of the sources said. The issue reportedly occupied less than five minutes of the meeting.

“President Trump raised Jimmy Lai’s case, exactly as he had pledged to do,” a U.S. official confirmed. “Both President Trump and President Xi engaged in the ensuing conversation.”

Another person familiar with the meeting said, on condition of anonymity, “It was brought up by Trump and noted by Xi.” The source added that Trump suggested freeing Lai would help improve U.S.–China relations and enhance China’s global image.

Trump’s direct intervention comes as Lai awaits a verdict in a case widely viewed as emblematic of Beijing’s erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong under the sweeping national security law introduced after the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one of conspiracy to publish seditious material.

Before the South Korea meeting, Trump said he planned to raise Lai’s detention, but the official readouts from both sides did not mention the topic. The White House declined to comment on whether it was discussed and has not confirmed the reports.

Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington, said he was unaware of any specifics from the leaders’ conversation but insisted Lai’s “crimes have seriously harmed Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.” He added, “Any attempt to interfere with Hong Kong’s judicial process or undermine the rule of law will not succeed.”

Although Lai is a British citizen, his case has long strained relations between Washington and Beijing. During his presidential campaign last year, Trump vowed that he would “100%” secure Lai’s release.

Lai’s son, Sebastien Lai, last week expressed deep gratitude towards Trump following early reports of the president’s intervention. “Knowing President Trump’s reputation as the Liberator in Chief, I pray that his continued support will persuade President Xi to free my father before it is too late,” he said in a statement.

Trump described his talks with Xi as productive, highlighting progress on trade, rare earth exports, and commitments to curb the shipment of chemicals used to make fentanyl. He said the two leaders did not discuss Taiwan during their 90-minute meeting.

Jimmy Lai has been held in solitary confinement for over 1,700 days, according to his family and human rights groups, and remains in the maximum-security Stanley Prison awaiting sentencing after his trial concluded in late August. His lawyers told the court that he suffers from heart palpitations and has been fitted with a heart monitor and prescribed medication.

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