Trump’s Pledge To Free Hong Kong Tycoon Jimmy Lai Faces Test As Verdict Nears

 

Days before securing his second presidential term, Donald Trump promised that if he returned to the White House, he would secure the release of Jimmy Lai — a billionaire media mogul and outspoken pro-democracy figure imprisoned in Hong Kong.

“100% I’ll get him out. He’ll be easy to get out,” Trump declared in an October podcast interview.

Nearly ten months later, Lai remains behind bars. The 77-year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper has spent over 1,600 days in a maximum-security prison, much of it in solitary confinement, and faces the possibility of life imprisonment under Hong Kong’s national security law.

Lai is accused of two counts of colluding with foreign forces and a separate sedition charge. He has pleaded not guilty. Closing arguments in his landmark trial are set to conclude in the coming days, paving the way for a verdict that will test Trump’s promise.

Speaking in a radio interview on Thursday, Trump was more measured: “I didn’t say 100% I’ll save him. I said 100% I’m going to be bringing it up… and I’m going to do everything I can to save him.” He acknowledged Chinese President Xi Jinping would not be “thrilled” by the request but confirmed Lai’s case has entered ongoing talks.

Support and Skepticism in Hong Kong

On Friday, dozens lined up outside the courthouse amid a heavy police presence. Some came to express solidarity; others doubted Trump’s influence. “If I don’t come here this time, I am worried I won’t be able to see him again,” said one supporter.

Lai, a British citizen born in mainland China, built his fortune in the garment industry before founding Apple Daily in 1995. Known for his fierce criticism of Beijing, he became a prominent voice during Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests. His arrest in 2020 marked a turning point in the city’s press freedoms.

International Attention

Trump previously said he would raise Lai’s case in trade negotiations with China. Sources close to Lai claim U.S. officials have informally brought up his situation during talks. Mark Clifford, president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was tasked with making Lai’s release part of trade discussions.

British leaders have also pressed for Lai’s freedom, calling his imprisonment “cruel and unusual punishment.” Beijing, however, has dismissed these appeals as interference in China’s internal affairs.

Race Against Time

Advocates fear Lai’s age and deteriorating health — including diabetes and extended solitary confinement — could make his continued detention life-threatening. His son, Sebastien Lai, described his father’s confinement in Hong Kong’s extreme summer heat as “a form of torture” but also expressed pride in his decades-long fight for democracy.

Legal experts note Hong Kong’s chief executive has the authority to pardon or commute sentences, but such a move would require Beijing’s approval. For now, Lai’s fate rests with a panel of judges, with no jury involved.

“He’s 77, turning 78,” Sebastien said. “Any type of incarceration is incredibly worrying for his health… On a personal level, it’s devastating. But on a grander level, it’s important to keep watch.”