President Donald Trump on Friday said he is “not optimistic” about securing the release of jailed Hong Kong democracy advocate Jimmy Lai, signaling dim prospects for one of the highest-profile human rights cases raised during his recent visit to China. Speaking in an interview released Friday with Fox News host Bret Baier, Trump said he personally raised Lai’s case with Chinese President Xi Jinping but was met with resistance. “I brought up Jimmy Lai, and I would say the response to that was not positive,” Trump said. “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.’ And I did not feel optimistic. I’d have to be honest with you about that one.”
Trump said he discussed Lai’s detention alongside other religious and human rights cases, including a pastor imprisoned abroad, while touting his past success securing the release of Americans and foreign detainees.
“I’ve gotten hundreds of people out of different situations,” Trump said, referencing the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkey during his first term. Trump contrasted his approach with that of former President Joe Biden, criticizing the use of prisoner exchanges involving financial concessions.
