Trump’s Promise to Free Jimmy Lai on Hold as Hong Kong Tycoon Faces Life Imprisonment

In the months leading up to his second presidential term, Donald Trump made a public promise to secure the release of a prominent Hong Kong businessman and democracy advocate, Jimmy Lai. The billionaire, a persistent critic of China’s government, remains imprisoned despite Trump’s pledge.

Now 77 years old, Lai has spent over four years in a maximum-security prison, much of it in solitary confinement, facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life there. The outspoken founder of Apple Daily, a pro-democracy newspaper known for its fierce criticisms against the Chinese Communist Party, has become a symbol of Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong’s once-free press.

Lai stands accused of two counts of colluding with foreign forces and sedition, charges that could result in life imprisonment under Hong Kong’s 2020 national security law. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

On Thursday, the court is scheduled to hear closing arguments, paving the way for a verdict that will determine Lai’s fate and potentially test Trump’s commitment to fulfill his promise while negotiating a trade deal with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

In an October podcast interview, Trump expressed his intention to speak to Xi about Lai’s case if he won the election. During his presidency, he vowed to raise Lai’s situation during US-China trade talks.

According to individuals close to Lai and advocating for his release, US officials brought up his case with their Chinese counterparts during these negotiations.

In response to a request for comment from CNN, the White House Deputy Press Secretary stated, “The President believes that Jimmy Lai should be released.” China’s Foreign Affairs and Commerce Ministries did not respond to requests for comment.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, was unaware of specific details regarding whether Lai’s case was discussed during the trade talks. The Hong Kong government has urged external forces to stop interfering in its internal affairs and judicial process.

The court hearing on Thursday comes just days after Trump extended a trade truce with China, providing both sides another 90 days to resolve their trade and tech disputes. In recent weeks, Trump has softened his stance towards Beijing and expressed enthusiasm about visiting China at Xi’s invitation if a deal is reached.

Experts on US-China relations remain uncertain as to whether Trump can deliver on his promise to free Lai, given his transactional style and policy shifts. Jimmy Lai’s family and supporters, however, maintain hope.

“We are grateful that the President is aware of my father’s case and has stated that he will secure his release,” said Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai’s son. “The President has a history of freeing prisoners worldwide. This gives our family hope.”

Lai’s personal and financial fortunes are deeply intertwined with the transformation of Hong Kong. Born in mainland China, he arrived in Hong Kong at 16 and built his empire through clothing manufacturing before transitioning to media. His conviction that Trump and the US government should support Hong Kong’s civil liberties, essential for the city’s role as a bridge between China and international markets, has been unwavering.

In November, Lai took the stand in his own defense, denying any direct communication with Trump. “I don’t believe he knew me,” Lai said. “I think his aides knew me and briefed him about me.”

Efforts to secure Lai’s release have continued under President Joe Biden’s administration and into Trump’s second term. In March, a bipartisan group of US House representatives introduced a bill to rename the street in front of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington as “1 Jimmy Lai Way.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer brought up the case during his first meeting with Xi at the G20 summit in Brazil in November 2024. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has also called for Lai’s release, describing it as a “priority” for the UK government. These calls have drawn criticism from Beijing.

The court proceedings are expected to take multiple days, with the judges’ verdict potentially weeks or even months away. People campaigning for Lai’s release argue that given his age and health, it would be more troublesome for authorities to keep him imprisoned than to release him.

Sebastien Lai expressed concern about his father’s deteriorating health, describing the prolonged solitary confinement as “a form of torture.” The Hong Kong government has strongly condemned what it calls “misleading statements” about Lai’s treatment in custody.